Bardhaman Dot Com News Bureau
Burdwan, 26 Sep. 04:
With the Durgapuja just round the corner, our ears are longing to hear the announcement of the arrival of Debi Durga through the enchanting beats of the dhak, the traditional drums. When Bengalis living away busy planning their visit to their respective homeland on occasion of the puja, the scenario at the Ruidas para of Koyior village is quite different. The males of the para are all set to leave their home to play dhaks during the puja not only allover Bengal but also at metros like Delhi & Mumbai.

Uttam Das, a student of Burdwan university, is a professional drummer (Dhaki) from his early age. This is how he earns his livelihood and educational expenses. There are also some more boys in the village who being good students are also engaged in the profession. "We are not sure about our future" explained Uttam. He also informed that, each of the dhakis earn around Rs. 3000 during the season. Railway tickets and other expenses are generally borne by the club or organisors of the puja. Villagers of Ruidas para have to stay 10-12 days out of the village during the festive season for professional reason. Budha Das (45) a dhaki said, "we have little land to cultivate. Puja’s are the only source of the 70 families. Our village has no electricity, good road or sanitation. We are virtually isolated from the developing world. Poverty and drum are our only companions. Govt officer and political leader are seen only if there is election after which they vanish". The villagers complained, "although our presence is traditionally attached with the Durgapuja, now a days the organisors are busy spending huge on the theme & the mandap. We are left aloof. We are not looked after by the committees". 

Rousanara Begum, the panchayet pradhan informed bardhaman.com that, she has tried several times to draw attention of the administration and the government toward these villagers of Ruidas para.