Kolkata Durga Puja: The Surprising Health Impact of Street-Side Puchkas

Kolkata Durga Puja, the grand festival of Bengal, is a visual and gastronomic extravaganza that can make your mouth water just by seeing the street-side puchkas. But have you ever wondered if these delicious puchkas could be a health concern? It’s possible because the ingredients used in making puchkas can lead to health issues if there are contaminants. However, what’s even more astonishing is the recent incident on Shashibhushan Road in Kolkata, where the Nootan Dal created a pandal for Durga Puja adorned with puchkas. What made it remarkable is that the pandal was decorated with golgappas or puchkas. Yet, these puchkas ended up causing a health scare. The reason? The puchkas used for decoration contained harmful chemicals. After the conclusion of Durga Puja, as the pandal was being dismantled, the puchkas slowly disappeared, and their number reached a staggering 600.

The Use of Chemicals in Puchkas

The Nootan Dal claims that these golgappas could potentially harm your health. Sandeep Banerjee, the coordinator of this pandal, revealed that the information was shared through social media. People were urged to admire the beauty of the pandal made with puchkas but not to consume them. These golgappas had chemicals in them, specifically resin and hardener. The organizers say that this concept was novel in itself, an attempt to bring something new to the ground.

The Advice Against Eating on social media

A member of the Durga Puja committee mentioned that the shocking part is that while people avoided eating the puchkas used for decoration, they consumed them elsewhere. Moreover, some puchkas were hung as ornaments on the idols. People didn’t hesitate to try them in this form either. The committee didn’t anticipate that people would start eating the puchkas placed in the pandal. They tried to caution the public, but the warnings weren’t taken seriously. The use of chemically treated puchkas could potentially lead to health issues for those who consumed them.

Conclusion

Kolkata Durga Puja is a cultural extravaganza that draws people from all over the world to celebrate. The use of puchkas as decorations in pandals was a creative idea, but it also brought unforeseen health risks. While the intent was never for people to eat them, the temptation was too strong to resist for some. It’s a reminder that even during festivals, food safety should not be compromised. Next time you’re at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, be sure to enjoy the festivities but exercise caution when it comes to indulging in puchkas.