The South Madras Cultural Association (SMCA) celebrates the 46th Annual Autumn Festival “Sharadotsav” from 9th to 13th of October 2024 which is the largest Durga Pooja celebration in Chennai. This grandeur event is inaugurated by Honourable Governor of Tamilnadu, Thiru. R.N.Ravi.
Mr. Sudip Mitra, President of SMCA said, “We have been doing this pooja for 46 years. Now this is a second year, that we are at this venue (Kailash Conventions, ECR). We have done things in a way which added grandeur to our pooja. SMCA has been doing lot of charitable works as well which our managing trustee will brief about. This type of charity work is our vision and mission too.”
Smt. Luna Bose, Managing Trustee of SMCA said, “The SMCA Charitable Trust was founded on 19th of December, 1983. It has been 41 years since then. And we have come a long way in dedication towards promoting education, focussing in tackling issues which include environment, nutrition, health and also ensuring the complimenting of culture with charity. We are humble by the impact that we are able to make over the years. Our mission is to reach out to the need for those not only in Chennai but beyond Chennai, and even beyond Tamil Nadu. Charlie Chaplin once said, ‘ World needs more humanity, kindness and gentleness.’ We have to live in each other’s happiness and not in each other’s misery. We believe in this and will continue our journey of kindness and will do our best to society.”
The Honourable Governor of Tamilnadu Thiru. R.N.Ravi said, “I pray to Maa Kaalarathiri to have her blessings on all of us. She was the strength to our country. I am really delighted to see mini Bengal in Chennai. The beauty of our country is unity in the diversity to which no country can come close. One of the forces that unite us is Maa Durga, the shakthi. She has various names and forms. In Maharashtra, she is Maa Bhavani, in Tamilnadu it is Bhadra Kali. Whenever there has been a crisis or situation, she unites us. Energizes us to fight the evil. Bharat Matha is the form of Maa Durga. With thousands of her hands, she destroys the enemies. The shakthi that ignited the whole country is the power of Maa Durga. This is not merely a festival; it is our inherent strength. When we celebrate Navaratri, we remind ourselves of who we are and how devoted we are to Maa Durga. And besides that, her energy keeps us energized.”
Dr. Neela Ganguly, Secretary of SMCA, delivered the vote of thanks.
Dr. Anita Ramesh, an eminent oncologist and member executive of SMCA said, “The Sharadotsav at SMCA brings together people from all walks of life, cultures, communities and states, into a bond of friendship and goodwill, thereby instilling the spirit of harmony and humanity. Swami Vivekananda said, ‘The Secret of religion lies not in theories but in practice. To be good and do good – that is the whole of religion’. Apart from the intermittent festivities, by truly imbibing Swami Vivekananda’s quote, SMCA stay relevant throughout the year with our charitable wing, SMCA CHARITABLE TRUST, registered as a public Charitable Trust. Over four decades, the SMCA Charitable Trust has always been devoted to alleviate socio-economic hardship and promoting inclusive development among marginalized and underprivileged segments of the society.”