President’s Message

Message from the Current President, Amit Paul Choudhury 

The last one year has seen the world move on further following the COVID pandemic, an Indian origin Prime Minister at number 10 Downing Street and rises in inflation and cost of living. India has also reached the moon with its CHANDRAYAAN project. Most significantly Durga puja has been declared as UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is only India’s 14th entry to this UNESCO’s list which is a matter of great pride for all Indians.

Durga Puja is one of the biggest festivals of India and the biggest in Bengal. If you ask a Bengali when they miss their childhood the most likely answer will be during Durga puja. It is not only a festival but also a part of tradition, culture, literature, music, heritage, emotions and in essence part of the very Bengali existence.

The global Bengali has also been very much part of this celebration. A few families in central England came together to establish the Midland Indian Association (MIA) way back in 1968 for the purpose of celebrating Durga Puja. The puja which started in a living room of one of the founding members has gradually evolved over the years and is now one of the biggest in the United Kingdom. It attracts devotees from all over the country. The pujas are celebrated over all five days as per the Hindu calendar. The idols arrive from Kolkata every few years. The Sandhi Puja on Aasthami evening needs special mention when the chanting of Chandipath creates an amazing spiritual environment for which people travel many miles to witness.
Aasthami and Navami evenings are the busiest and attract a very diverse audience.
‘Sindoor Khela ‘on Vijaya Dashami also needs mention where women clad in their red and white sarees take centre -stage with their dancing, chanting and distribution of sweets.

Food occupies a big part in a Bengali’s life. Needless to say that it has been a huge component of our 55 years of puja in MIA. We cater for meals for devotees attending the venue twice a day during the festival. Most of the food is provided through generous donations from our members with the organisation also paying its share.
I would like to welcome everybody to be a part of this amazing celebration of heritage, culture and fun and make some wonderful memories to cherish for a long time.

JOY MA DURGA!

Amit Paul Choudhury
President
Midland Indian Association (MIA) 2023/24