The Week that Was

Times have changed. And I haven't felt it more than during the last week. This week, the whole of Bengal and Bengalis everywhere have been celebrating Durga Pujo, the biggest festival of the year for us. And yes, it is the best time of the year here in Bengal, especially in the city of Calcutta. But coming back to the first line of this piece, the times have changed. Till last year, the time of the Pujas meant atleast a two week holiday,starting from the day of the inauguration to Lakshmi Pujo. This year however, holidays are hard to come by. Why you ask, its because I've started working, and to get any holiday now is like finding an oasis in the desert. Even during the Pujas, we had only two days off officially, not counting the Sunday. Its a different issue that I didn't go to office an extra day, just to have some time to enjoy. But this time, it was like I was having to squeeze out every last drop of off days. It is now that I realise the true meaning of holidays. Getting three days off in a row would have been a dream. But we weren't given that luxury from office. As it turned out, we took it upon ourselves to take an extra day off, we mass bunked!, carrying on the tradition so popularly exercised in college :-p. It was only possible because we are still in training, and not working in projects.
The festival started on an irritating note, with my return from office being held up on the first day due lack of buses and traffic jams. Really felt the difference on the third day, when I had to go to office, even as everyone else was having a gala time. It did help that we could leave early. The next three days were very good. Met some friends and visited different places. Co-hosted the quiz contest in our locality. Had last hosted it three years back! So this was a comeback of sorts.
Even today, after the Pujo has officially ended, the mood still persisted. Feared that I wouldn't be able to return in time for the final farewell, when the Idols are taken away for immersion. Made it just in time to catch the procession heading out of our locality. That was a relief, and the satisfaction of the effort to return home early paying off was immense. Did not want to miss anything this time around, because there is no guarantee that I will be in the city next year to catch the festivities.
All in all, it was an enjoyable Pujo, and definitely better than what I had expected. The only regret I have is that I didn't get to spend enough time with some of my friends, but I hope to catch up with them very soon. Here's looking forward to an amazing Durga Pujo next year. Till then, keep up the Pujo spirit.
Signing off...