Well, as soon as I went out they asked me "Sarashwati pujo r chanda" Ohh... they were collecting fund for Sarashwati Puja, the puja for godess Sarashwati and more than that its another version of Valentine's day in West Bengal.
On this very day all the teenagers can walk out of their home freely since morning till late evening. Girls look beautiful in sari and guys wait for the day so eagerly. Since morning, the single hearts wait to meet another single heart, and engaged hearts get another beautiful day to spend together.
During my childhood, life was more simple. I too used to wait for the day for the whole year. Being brought up in a bit conservative family I was not so allowed to freak out so this day was my golden chance to put on some make up and wear sari and go out with friends.having gol gappas, sweets and chat for long.I remember, our school and most of the schools used to have big time puja and everyone used to gather. Ours was girls school but we could see the crowd of guys too with girls.Khichdi was being served at school. We might not like the taste but yes loved being with friends beyond school timing.
I remember, we used to collect chanda from the area so do this puja,people were not so willing to trust the kids and contribute. But few of them wanted the puja to happen so not by assisting financially they used to guide too. From buying the idol, arrange everything else - it was so much of fun. 3 days we never used to study. It was a good excuse not to study. We had a rule to study every evening for 3/4 hours!! It was so different that time. No TV, no fun nothing. Life had the same routine. And all of us used to follow that.
Now I dont remember its been how long that I didnt even see and enjoy Sarashwati puja. Those days things were not so easily available so we used to wait for the whole year to wait for this one day - a day of freedom, a day of love, a day of fun and a day where we used be a bit independent.
So much planning we girls usd to do - what sari to wear, what make up to put on (make up that time means lip stick and a bit of junk jewellery nothing beyond) so in schools and after school for few weeks our discussion point used to be Sarashwati puja.It was fun when each of the girls knew they were being watched and appreciated by few admirers and we used to cherish that feelings. Those moments where silence used to express more than words, where eyes used to speak more.
And finally after a day, this used to come to an end. We all with tears in eyes used to go to bid good bye... to the day and the idol. I still remember we all used to shout for hours saying "Asche bochor abar hobe" ( next year it will happen again)
I miss those moments of Sarashwati puja. I wish to go back to those days.
