Thank you

Dear All,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who came and attended the Chhath Puja keeping all biases aside. I would also like to thank all those who assisted me in making the Puja a memorable event- The Supreme Court, Govt. of Maharasthra, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Mumbai police, the District Collector my Staff and all my well-wishers.

I also want to share this email I got from a girl.

Dear Mr. Nirupam,

I am Shweta Verma [name changed]. I happened to have my weekly off on the day of the Chhath Puja so I attended it with a couple of friends of mine. I clicked a few pics as well. I experienced many things being there. Would like to share them with you.

Firstly as I grabbed a ric I noticed a red tika on the forehead of the driver. Something in me immediately made him ask, “ Kaka tumhi marathi aahat?”[uncle are u a marathi]

Ric fella-yes

Me-So how come u said yes to go to juhu beach?

Ric fella- why I shouldn’t go?

Me- Don’t u know about the puja happening their

Ric fella- yes I do.

Me- Uncle I am a north Indian…how come u letting me travel in ur vehicle.

Ric Fella- what happens with that. I will get paid for my hard work. How does it matter what caste u r.

Me-don’t u know bout the recent happenings in Mumbai. Dont u feel irritated that we have come from north India and other ric fellows too.

Ric fella- if some one works hard why I should have a problem.

I will like to add that the entire conversation was done in my not so good Marathi.

Here’s his pic…

On the way to Juhu Beach I noticed many people traveling with sugarcane and other material for the Puja. Looked fascinating. So took pics of them too.

Once I reached there I was aghast to look at the crowd. I used to see it on TV during other festivals….but for a festival which is not of maharashthra origin and still have this much strength was amazing. I was later told by someone that this was 75 % of the strength of the past years.

I managed to browse through the crowd and get a glimpse of you offering your prayers to the Surya dev. It was a lovely sight. A man with power- political….influential person…did fear someone…did bow down in front of someone…. GOD. I also saw a huge crowd surrounding you trying to pray along side you and your security guards struggling to manage them…a little harshly. I got irritated….but was glad to see the same irritation on your face, and how u told ur security guards to not treat others this way. A sign of humanity I must say. I clicked a few pics of yours but I m sure you must be having them in abundance. So I am sending you few other pics.

Before leaving I managed to get to the back of the stage n clicked a few pics of the crowd.

In all I want to say….I m not a very religious person or very interested in politics either. But I appreciated the way you carried out the entire ceremony and managed the whole occasion with grace and dignity. A few more leaders like you I hope could emerge.

Keep up the good work.

Shweta Verma.

Thank you Shweta for attending the Puja and for your lovely mail and photos. I am humbled. I am posting some pictures from my side too.

Thanks and Regards

Sanjay Nirupam