Kolkata: The NRC-themed Durga pandal by Behala’s Barisha Club topped the list of “Best of the Best” award under Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman-2021 by portraying the immigrant crisis.

Barisha Club portrayed Goddess Durga in a detention camp due to NRC and CAA as the ambiance of the pandal reflects the goddess stuck in “No Man’s Land” with Bangladesh on one side and India on the other.

This artistic representation of Goddess Durga and her children as immigrants has enabled South Kolkata’s Barisha Club to top the list of 36 clubs in the category.

The West Bengal Government had introduced ‘Bishwa Bangla Sharad Samman' award since 2013 in appreciation of the best Durga Puja celebration in and across West Bengal. Ever since then, it has been a prestigious award for all the Durga Puja organising committees.

Similar to that of last year’s, this year too, the applications for the award were taken online in view of the prevailing pandemic. Several applications were registered from Puja committees across Kolkata and its adjoining areas i.e. Kolkata Municipal Corporation, South Dumdum Municipality, Baranagar Municipality, Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, Howrah Municipal Corporation, along with 20 other districts of West Bengal.

The Bishwa Bangla Sharad Samman-2021 award is given several Puja committees under various categories like best of the best (36), best pandal (5), best idol (5), best lighting (3), best traditional (2), best concept (9), special prize (18), best eco-friendly (6), best Dhakesri (2), best Biswa Bangla Branding (5), unique thought (1), best COVID awareness (hygiene) (10), best COVID warrior(1).

A total of 103 Puja Committees have been awarded Bishwa Bangla Sharad Samman-2021 was be provided and prominent personalities from different walks of life have served as judges of the World Bangla Sharad Samman-2021.