Durga Puja, a beloved festival, is not only a celebration of devotion but also an opportunity for puja committees to engage in environmentally conscious activities. The Navi Mumbai Bengali Association Durga Puja, the largest in the Mumbai Metropolitan region, with a daily footfall of one lakh visitors, consistently leads the way in taking meaningful steps to protect the environment. Their latest endeavor is the "Go Green" initiative, aimed at combatting the plastic menace.

To reaffirm their commitment to environmental conservation, the Navi Mumbai Bengali Association Durga Puja Committee has taken an effective measure during the four-day Durga Puja celebration. In an effort to combat plastic pollution, the committee has not only implemented a proper disposal system for plastic bottles and used plastic bags but has also collaborated with an NGO to recycle these discarded items. During the Bhog distribution, approximately 5000 discarded plastic bottles were collected on Saptami day alone, with nearly 5500 people availing of the free lunch or Bhog. These bottles were promptly collected, sorted, and sent for recycling. Tuhin Dutta from the Bhog Committee stated, "This year, we took an extra step to 'Go Green,' shouldering the responsibility of segregation and facilitating recycling with the support of an NGO. The polythene packets and plastic bags from the venue have also been collected for recycling."

On the spiritual front, NMBA Durgotsav is all set to celebrate its 44th Sharodtosav, with the installation of an elegant 18-foot-tall Devi Durga idol. Day-long Puja, Pushpanjali, Aarti, and Bhog offerings are carried out under the supervision of priests Nirupam Mukerjee, Sandipan Mukherjee, and Shri Gopesh. Thousands of visitors from Navi Mumbai and distant places have gathered at the puja venue to partake in this festivity.

Sukanto Nag, the President of the association, shared, "With the theme 'Bhalobasa - The New Dawn of Life,' NMBA is wholly dedicated to developing our dream project, 'Bhalobasa - Assisted Living for Senior Citizens.' Our next significant goal is to complete our old age home, Bhalobasa, which means 'good hearth.' Navi Mumbai Bengali Association stands as a beacon, dedicated to bringing Bengali emotions together, once again offering a five-day package of religious events and cultural extravaganzas contributing towards 'Bhalobasa.'"

Considering the daily footfall, he further added, "Expecting a massive turnout, we are focusing on enhancing the security system. We have increased the number of security personnel, deployed a fire fighting unit, implemented safety measures for health and hygiene, and provided round-the-clock ambulance services to ensure the safety of devotees and visitors."