**Agartala, August 23:** This year’s Durga Puja celebrations at Prantik Club in Agartala will carry a strong social message, with the organisers choosing “Tobacco-Free Society” as the central theme of the festivities.
The club formally began preparations for the annual celebration on Sunday with the traditional Khuti Puja, marking the commencement of construction and other arrangements for the grand event.
Known for combining cultural festivities with social awareness initiatives, Prantik Club plans to use its Puja pandal to highlight the harmful effects of tobacco consumption on individuals, families and society. Through artistic displays and creative installations, the organisers aim to raise awareness about the health risks associated with tobacco and encourage people, particularly youngsters, to give up the habit.
The pandal will also promote environmental consciousness, with the entire structure being designed using natural materials. Coconut husk will play a prominent role in the décor, giving the pandal a distinctive rustic and aesthetic appearance while reinforcing the message of sustainable celebration.
Skilled artisans and clay sculptors from West Bengal have been brought in for the pandal construction, while specialists from the state are handling the lighting arrangements. Local artists have also been engaged as part of efforts to ensure greater community participation in the celebrations.
Organisers said the combination of social awareness, eco-friendly materials, traditional craftsmanship and innovative lighting is expected to make the Puja a major attraction for devotees and visitors.
“Durga Puja is not just about devotion and festivity; it is also an opportunity to reach out to society with meaningful messages,” a club organiser said.
Residents and devotees have welcomed the anti-tobacco theme, observing that the widespread availability and consumption of tobacco products remain a serious concern, particularly among younger people. They expressed hope that the initiative will encourage greater awareness about the importance of maintaining a tobacco-free lifestyle.
The organisers said the initiative reflects their broader vision of using cultural platforms to address issues affecting society and promote healthier living.
With its distinctive anti-tobacco message, eco-friendly pandal and elaborate artistic lighting, Prantik Club’s Durga Puja is expected to emerge as one of the notable attractions of Agartala’s festive season, bringing together devotion, creativity, environmental awareness and social responsibility.
