The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Sunday announced the list of puja committees which have won the Swastha Bandhab Sharod Samman 2018 award for efficient campaigns relating to prevention and control of dengue in collaboration with the civic body health department.

A total of 1605 puja committees had participated in the campaign to create awareness among people who are visiting the pandals. The aim was to take up the best and most efficient campaign that will deliver the message to thousands, making them aware of the dengue guidelines.

The civic body health department took the initiative to invite all puja committees and rope them into the campaign against vector-borne diseases and decided that the best campaigns will be awarded with Swastha Bandhab Sharod Samman 2018.

Addressing the Press, Mr Atin Ghosh, member mayor in-council (MMIC), health, said: “We had a total of 1605 puja committees participating from all the areas under the KMC. We decided to host this competition without any sponsors and that everything needed was provided by the civic body heath department. This was aimed at making citizens aware against vector-borne diseases. We provided all campaign materials such as banners, festoons, leaflets and others to all the participating committees. The members of the committees visited houses in their respective areas to spread the message.”

“Among the 1605 committees, 100 competitors were selected by the judges’ panel which comprised vector-control officials, borough executives, health officers and several others. Initially, we had reserved 60 points for dengue malaria campaign that included door-to-door visit. In the later stage, we had reserved 40 points for puja committees spreading awareness area wise.

“Other categories for which 25 points were reserved included pandal decoration and puja theme and idols. Sixteen boroughs were divided into eight zones for the purpose.”

He added that Rs 30,000 along with a trophy will be given to winners of the three categories, while Rs 5,000 and a trophy will be awarded to winners in Mayor’s Choice category. The following puja committees won the award in ‘Best Three’ category in their respective zones ~ Baghbazar Pally Puja, Kashi Bosh Lane, Nabin Pally and Sikdar Bagan in zone 1; Chorbagan Sarbajonin, Pathuriaghata Pancher Pally and Mechua Bazar Sarbojonin in zone 2; Kankurgachi Yubak Brinda, Kabiraj Bagan and Bosepukur Sitala Mandirin zone 3; Tridhara Akal Bodhan, Samaj Sebi Sangha and Gariahat Hindustan Club in zone 4; 25 Pally Club, 95 Pally Sarbojonin, Golf Green Sarodotsav committee and Naktala Udayan Sangha in zone 5; Kamdahari Subhashpally, Santoshpur Trikon Park and Baghajatin Tarun Sangha in zone 6; 41 Pally Club, Behala 29 Pally and Barisha Club in zone 7; Behala Arunadoy Samity, Behala Naskarpara Sarbojanin and Phatepur Durgotsav committee in zone 8.

The following puja committees won the award in ‘Mayor’s Choice’ category in their respective zones ~ Ha- Ja- Ba- Ra- La Sanskritik Santha, Durbar Mahila Durga Puja Sammanay and Lalabagan Nabankur in zone 1; Ramtanu Bose Lane Tarun Sporting Club, Adhibasi Brinda Kanai Dhar Lane and Chapatola Pally in zone 2; Vivekananda Sangha Beliaghata Sarkar Bagan, Pallisree Sarbojanin and Tiljala Yubak Brinda in zone 3; Nonapukur Loha Patty, Taltala DCD road Yuva and Entally Pally Basi Brinda in zone 4; Hastings Sarbojanin, Bhowanipur Student’s Club and Babubagan in zone 5; Jayashree Sangha, Baghajatin B and C Block, Purbalok Sarbojonin, Sahapur Sarbojanin, Sister Nivedita multi-purpose society and Barisha Yubak Brinda in zone 7; Adarshanagar Blue Star, Behala Club Sarbojanin and Desh Gourav Pathanagar Sarodotsav in zone 8.