Sad that Durga Pooja is over although couple of more festive gatherings are coming up in the horizon.  Overall, well done and kudos to Kallol in organizing and carrying out yet another memorable Durga Pooja.  We know it is not easy in terms of logistics and unfortunately you cannot please everyone; since the purpose of pooja is to get the family together and enjoy three days to the fullest with friends, that was a roaring success. Now, I would like to raise some concerns and maybe we can discuss this in future Kallol meetings as Lessons Learned.

a)	There were "volcanic" and extremely nasty verbal exchanges (ek kathai abohawa besh garom chhilo) during cultural programs between attendees themselves as well with my bouncer buddies.  I am sure you may have guessed, this is to with the front few rows designated for "Donors" with white tags.  This needs serious rethinking.  Although I understand and fully appreciate the intent of keeping a few rows for people who commit more money for the event, but at the same time this creates lot of divisions and ill will amongst lines of friendship.  Let me explain a bit, donor seats were 25% un-utilized up to the beginning of Anindya and Purbayan when the Kallol committee members started to enforce that every seat be occupied with white badge. Many orange badges saw that and started fuming since Orange rows were overcrowded.  Another problem was more donors than seats.  This led people to put grown kids (legitimate seat holders by themselves) on their laps so that all donors can seat.  Watching a 3-4 hr program with a kid on your lap can be extremely cumbersome and painful.  The “bouncers” Amit, Alok, Prosenjit and Tathagato tried their level best of stopping the myriads of seat reservation tactics (except inner garments, people open everything), but when floodgates open up, what will a few well intended “bangosantans” do?  Also, it is very sensitive to ask a senior Kallol member and loyalist to vacate a white badge seat and move to orange badge area just because he/she did not pay the threshold amount in cash; knowing full well that these stalwarts and kallol pioneers have given more to these poojas over the years with their selfless love, commitment, night after night of sheer brawn and doing everything with a smile for 3 straight days.  Some of them are our dadas and didis and we know we have this Durga Pooja only because they took charge and have handed over to the next projanmyo.  When dad and mom grow old, do we throw them out of the plush sofa (akin to white badge) to the back of the room?  Many of the veterans do not feel the same excitement and enthusiasm about Durga Pooja and many recant the good old days of Kallol and the high class and esteem it used to espouse towards the community it serves.  This trickle of discontent may lead to a gush of attritions from loyal Kallol ranks to other pooja organizers.  My humble suggestion is to remove the donor rows and make it first come, first serve.  You want to show the donors your appreciation, give them closer parking, more visibility in website and the magazine, announce their names on a frequent basis, ensure they get access or one-on-one photo-op time with key performers, …. Just some thoughts.  
b)	The food lines need to be revisited.  I have seen people get down from their cars and walk straight to food tent for two straight days.  Since there is no badge check, there was no stopping these folks and the volunteers serving and directing the crowd were helpless and has to serve everyone without filtering.  What we propose is colored hand stamps or stickers given in Disney or Chucky Cheese (costs nothing), one color for each day to be checked by the tent gatekeepers.  We know and have witnessed people exchange badges with fresh friends who did not register but wants to have lunch.  
c)	Thanks to Kallol Cultural Committee for Anindya and Purbayan… what a phenomenal offering and rendition of Sitar and Percussion.  Hats off to you guys.  The best program of this pooja in my opinion.  Nachiketa was absolutely terrible and disappointing but that may be because of my taste and traditional background.  His sudden rant towards the couple (who were talking) reminds me of someone having the Tourette’s Syndrome.  Artists do not like people talking in front rows and I have seen many artists tell audience politely and nicely.  Nachiketa’s rant was an absolute revelation of his class.  Kabor was a great theme but not appropriate for Pooja; but I understand that it was a face-saver since Patolbabu was canned.  I did not see Aparna but heard people disappointed with lack of sync between the letters and the songs especially Kesariya and Lolita punched.  But, again there were others who thoroughly enjoyed the program in its entirety – letters, songs and all.  Most people did rave about the singer.  Aparna Sen is a talented crowd-puller and we do recognize that and hence are appreciative of the effort she has put together and the research that went behind the show.

Well, enjoy the traces of the Pooja season till the white stuff arrives.  See you all in some nook and cranny in this our NY/NJ bengali life.