JavedAkhatar/Kolkata

In West Bengal and some eastern parts of India, where the Hindus worship Goddess Kali, a fierce form of feminine divinity who wears a garland of skulls and is shown drinking the blood of enemies. Kali Puja, festival comes soon after Durga Puja, and it is also celebrated on the same scale and with matching enthusiasm and traditional fervor.

The Kali Puja of Barasat, Kalyani, and Nai Hatti are as famous as the Durga Puja of Kolkata. People come from far-off places to see the celebrations of Kali Puja. The visitors also include Muslims.

In fact, many Muslims organize and participate in Kali Puja in Kolkata. Rizwan Ahmed Siddiqui alias Mama is getting ready to organize Kali Puja for the 25th year. He says he accepts voluntary donations and uses his money for all the expenses of this grandiose festival.

There is no compulsion for anyone to donate the the Puja. I bear the rest of the expenses,” he said.

Rizwan Ahmed Siddiqui organises Kali Puja in Grant Lane near the police headquarters at Lal Bazar, Kolkata. Organizing OPuthe Pujait.

“Many of my friends and colleagues are Hindus. They get a lot of happiness from this puja. They help me in organizing it. We not only perform puja but also distribute clothes among the poor. We also help in organizing the weddings of girls from families with fewer means throughout the year. In winter, we distribute cold clothes including blankets and shawls.”

Rizwan Ahmed Siddiqui says that many years ago children used to organize Kali Puja here. Once there was a fight between the local boys and those from Chata Street.  The young boys organized Kali Puja but the other group came and disrupted it with a small explosion and the young organizers ran away in panic.

“That day some of us went on and performed the Kali Puja. This has been continued since that time. The Kali Puja is a three-day festival, two days for Puja, and on the third day a Bhandara (community feast) is organised.

Bhandara is organized at Rizwan Ahmed Siddiqui's place. His colleagues are involved in this work. Etc.

Rizwan Ahmed Siddiqui is affectionately called Mama (Mother’s brother). He is quite popular among the people. A businessman, Rizwan is also involved in social work. He works to help both Hindus and Muslims.

At the time of writing this, Rizwan is busy preparing for the Kali Puja. He has already received permission from the police for the puja. He says, “We have been living together for years and everyone celebrates the festival together. On the occasion of Eid, all our Hindu friends come here. Similarly, we also celebrate Diwali and Kali Puja which generate goodwill and brotherhood.''

Even before Kali Puja arrives, people start asking whether Kali Puja will be organized this time or not, in this way, the cooperation of the people is also quite high, and employees also participate in the puja.

Mama has also opened an office for social work, and people flock to it to resolve their civic problems, as Rizwan has political connections.

One room of his office is converted into a permanent free medical camp where Dr Pandey examines patients and they also get free medicines.

Rizwan Ahmed Siddiqui is also associated with many NGOs and with their help; he arranges wheelchairs for those in need.

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On Kali Puja, Rizwan Ahmed Siddiqui says his main aim is to foster brotherhood. He knows that some people might criticize him for celebrating a Hindu festival. “I don’t care about what others think; I am serving humanity.”