.....the grassy glade is moisture laden , just after Mahalaya....with Durga Puja around ......the Shiuli flowers all strewn overnite below the tree , all drenched in the dew....its late September....the number one size football : a brand new one frm Calcutta, bought by Pa, specially for me, is wet : the new leather soaking up the moisture.....its lace wet too....as those days in early seventies, the soccer balls had to be tied with a lace after inflating & tieing the neck of the bladder....thr wud be occasional punctures ....the Bicycle mechanic will be of great help, repairing with a solution & patch....Calcutta provided the hub for all our Durga Puja Mktng for us .....the fmly of brothers & sisters wud accompany parents prior to the Puja....the tram , taxi , bus rides....Chowringhee, New Mkt , Gariahat, were the places to visit ....with such energy shown by parents we youngsters were put to shame.....as we wud drag our feets thru different shopping sites.....Sasthi to Dasami full five festive days , wud be new wears for all of us , nd parents used to ensure tht , thnks to the indefatiguable energy of Ma......the short lunch in the midst of shopping , satiating our hunger....the aroma laden street of eateries....nd a choice unparalleled.....thr wud be purchases of Gramaphone records of HMV & Polydor , Books & Magazines for all....all Puja Editions ....for which parents , more so Ma nd us waited eagerly.....the return journey back home nd we had not an ounce of energy left , but deeply satisfied ....the run up to the pujas were such.....!!!....this followed coaxing the tailors , who had brisk business thn to stitch the clothes on time......Puja meant an annual overhauling of everything at home.....a huge fillip nd a relief to an yr of hard wrk as students & nd also dear parents who left no stones unturned to keep us happy nd in festive spirits.....!!!.....halfway thru though , i,e Navami , a strange melancholia wud grip us as Puja will be over at Dussehra & Devi Ma will depart frm all community Pandals.....thn will follow a momentous custom of hugging each other , Pranams to elders , visiting frnd & fmly's house sharing Sweets , Namkins , & ubiquitous Coconut Laddoos a mandatory fare.....as telephone was rarely in use , thr wud be a demand of Post Cards wherein we wud scribble Bijoya Greetings to relatives & Kins who were far off......posting thm diligently as early birds .....!!!!!
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