Welcome to Bengali Cultural Association (BCA), Sector 62, Noida

Welcome to Bengali Cultural Association, Sector 62. Ever expanding Noida was evolving cluster after cluster in small steps and Sector 62 Residential areas, Commercial Areas, Shops and Malls and large number of Multinational Companies were sprouting up. A no man’s land a few years back has started seeing hustle and bustle of large number of settlers, who came from different backgrounds of Corporates, Private and Public-Sector enterprises with immense wealth of Intellectual background and took to their new homes. This is nothing new as it happens everywhere but the rich intellectual wealth that assembled here were unmatched and there was no community that could be overlooked. People gelled slowly and a diversified culture was born who had tremendous appetite to burst the bubble and create a new energetic community. To name a few; IOC, Railways, BHEL, NTPC, PDIL, SAIL, IT Sector Companies, Telecom Sector, Mecon, Builders and Consultants, Ministry of External Affairs, (my apologies for not indicating all societies) found their nests here. By 2008 Sector 62 became a giant with several well connected and influential people of eminence started knowing each other.

Out of this big group, a small team of Bengalis decided to launch a social group that will dedicate them in social and Community Activities. The group they proudly named Bengali Cultural Association and in 2002 with a meagre collection of Rs 30000.00 (Thirty Thousand Only), they organized a small Durga Puja amidst round the clock participation and commitment in a small Park. This group got registered as a full official group in 2003 with the Noida Authorities and got the license to spread their wings. Year after year more and more people joined and the association swelled to more than 300 members.

The group had many energetic and creative minds who slowly added value to the program by involving families from other communities too in various rich cultural programmes, children were given platform to learn and perform, The Group supported highly talented dancing females who participated in an all Noida, NCR Competitions and won laurels and the name of Sector 62 was in everybody’s mouth. Durga Puja is not only dear to Bengalis but many communities in the East and thus got huge participation. Durga Puja having started from a small Park moved to Tot Mall Field (Later converted into a Park) and subsequently in the B Block Ground behind Fortis Hospital. In the evening hours, the best of Indian Talents are invited year after year to perform at our stages and mesmerize the crowd with their Variety Programs were not limited to Bengali but many other languages, Folk Dances which many in the North India have not even seen, were astonished and deeply appreciated. Collectively we have a footfall of more than 5000 people in the 4/5 days of the program.

Life is not easy though. As the time passes organizing such events are becoming expensive and mind it most of the funds are managed by our in-house volunteers. Each volunteer and Executive Member passes sleepless nights. Ma Durga always comes to our assistance. Once we achieve a level of excellence is expected to better the same every year. We seek suggestions of our people. We have around 200 permanent Bengali members here but why Bengalis only, we hereby invite non-Bengalis also to come forward and participate hand in had shoulder to shoulder with us. Puja is not anyone’s property and hence if other communities join us only Sector 62 will benefit. Hence this year we shall be putting extra thought and effort on it. We need huge funds to celebrate such mega event and most of the people who started the Puja are catching on age and hence young volunteers are also requested to join us. We already have a system of registration and we shall make it more effective. Our break-even membership (Full) is about 350 but we are not able to reach that level. Those who want to know more may contact Executive Committee Members.

We also need young legs and commitment to collect funds. Let us pursue other communities, who, I am sure, will do everything not to let down the association. In no way we are saying that things are bad but we just short of gaining the excellence. We have Bhog on Saptami, Ashtami and Navami and Vijaya Milan on Dussehra is very interesting. The Puja extends till Kali Puja and then also till Saraswati Puja. This Puja in a real sense committee Puja and we call it Sarbojonin (Means all) Durga Puja and hence there is no discrimination. Four Fun filled days. Apart from this there are several stalls are installed serving all Indian cuisine.

We shall display this home page and invite volunteers from all communities soon. We maintain extreme decorum, hygiene and cleanliness commensurate with the Environment laws, and all new members must help us maintain a very high standard. Most of the Puja days often are working and hence it appears that it is only a retired man’s Puja but what about the talented women at home? Our group gives a very high impetus upon the house wife who should form at least quarter of our volunteer group. Anyone who has seen Gujarat, will be able to vouch for the women leadership to make the programme successful. Mind it they organize it for nine days, then why not in Sector 62. This is an open invitation to all. Highest fund collectors are felicitated and applauded.

We all together shall make it a most optimum celebration with exchange of ideas. Language will not be any barrier. Believe it Sector 62 Puja is the biggest Puja in Noida and we shall keep it best. We must elevate out levels to steer past the best every year. Look for every opportunity to get funds, either through subscriptions or Advertisements or simple donations. This is one time when we remember our innocent childhood days asking parents to buy silly things like balloons, wooden toys, small flutes and we were so happy making noise. So, we all should become small child during the puja days and enjoy the festival to its brim. Ma Durga comes with her children hence our children must go there to greet her children..