Kolkata | DD News

October 19, 2026 3:13 PM

Mahashtami marked by early morning anjali at puja pandals across Bengal

People thronged Durga Puja pandals across Kolkata and the districts of West Bengal in the early hours of Monday to offer anjali on Mahashtami, in keeping the prescribed timing of the rituals this year. From community pandals in the metropolis to traditional household celebrations and heritage shrines in the districts, devotees in new festive attire arrived in the pandals as priests led the chanting of mantras and hymns in praise of Goddess Durga. The early start saw worshippers gather at sever...

October 18, 2026 5:30 PM

HM Amit Shah visits hospital to meet those injured in Kolkata Durga Puja pandal stampede

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday morning visited a private hospital where 14 of those injured in the Durga Puja pandal stampede in north Kolkata were undergoing treatment, a senior official said. HM Shah, who was accompanied by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, spoke to the doctors and reviewed the treatment of the injured, he said. The Home Minister also interacted with three patients undergoing treatment at the facility, the state government official said. https://x.com/Am...

October 18, 2026 9:31 AM

Kolkata stampede: PM Modi announces ex gratia, Amit Shah to visit injured

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief and announced financial assistance after at least 19 people died and 25 were injured in a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening. The stampede followed a crowd surge amid rain at the pandal. “The stampede in Kolkata is extremely distressing. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest,” PM Modi said in a post on X. He said the local admin...

October 16, 2026 3:09 PM

Bengal’s biggest festival Durga Puja starts with Mahashashthi, pandal-hopping begins

Rituals marking the formal commencement of West Bengal's biggest festival, Durga Puja, were conducted at pandals on Friday as revellers began visiting decorated marquees and prayed to the Mother Goddess on 'Mahashashthi'. 'Kalparamba' ritual was conducted to start the festivities, while 'bodhan' or invocation of the goddess will also be held, even as mothers offered prayers for their children's well-being. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, while extending his greetings, said in a social media p...

October 15, 2026 12:49 PM

Durga Puja celebrated as ‘puja of change’, govt assisting 58,000 organisers”, says Dilip Ghosh

West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh on Thursday stated that Durga Puja is being celebrated as a "puja of change" this year, highlighting historic arrangements and extensive government support for the state's biggest festival. Ghosh said, "This time Durga Puja is also being celebrated as a puja of change. Historic arrangements are being made. The government is assisting the puja organisers. The previous government used to provide financial assistance to only 45,000 puja organisers, but this ...

October 15, 2026 12:03 PM

West Bengal Governor RN Ravi inaugurates Dhakuria Durga Puja pandal themed on ‘Maha Milan’

West Bengal Governor RN Ravi inaugurated the 77th Dhakuria Sahidnagar Sarbojanin Durga Puja in Kolkata, where the pandal has been designed around the theme of ‘Maha Milan’, highlighting the journey and struggles of the refugee community. Pritam Dutta, president of Dhakuria Sahidnagar Sarbojanin Durgotsav, expressed gratitude to the Governor for attending the event with his family and said the theme reflected the history of the refugee colony and the struggles faced by its early residents. ...

October 12, 2026 11:10 PM

India, America expanding cooperation across sectors: US Ambassador Sergio Gor

India and America are expanding cooperation across sectors, including defence, IT and healthcare, with investments and joint initiatives creating significant opportunities for both countries, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Monday. Speaking at a programme in Kolkata to mark 250 years of America’s Independence, Gor highlighted the growing partnership between the two countries, citing recent military exercises, defence cooperation and investments by US and Indian companies. “India ...

October 11, 2026 12:56 PM

Next-generation offshore patrol vessel ‘Shreyas’ launched at GRSE in Kolkata

The Indian Navy’s next-generation offshore patrol vessel ‘Shreyas’ was launched at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata on Saturday, marking another milestone in indigenous shipbuilding. The vessel, designated Yard 3040, was launched by Reyman Kochhar in the presence of Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff. Senior representatives from the Navy, Ministry of Defence, GRSE and industry partners attended the ceremony, which reflected naval traditions a...

October 4, 2026 1:14 PM

19th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Convention to be held in Kolkata from January 7-9, 2027

The 19th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) Convention will be held in Kolkata, West Bengal, from January 7 to 9, 2027, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. The three-day convention will be organised by the MEA in partnership with the West Bengal government and will bring together members of the Indian diaspora and other stakeholders from across the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the convention, while President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Pravasi Bhara...

September 30, 2026 2:59 PM

Kolkata Metro Rail to operate additional services ahead of Durga Puja

Kolkata Metro Railway on Tuesday said it will operate additional services on Saturdays and Sundays in the run-up to Durga Puja for the benefit of the commuters. The additional services will be available on Blue and Green Lines on October 3, 4, 10 and 11, the Metro Railway said in a statement. On Saturdays, October 3 and 10, Metro Railway will run 272 services instead of 252 on the Blue Line. Along the Green Line, Metro Railway will run 236 services (118 UP and 118 DN) instead of 212 services ...