Bringing Durga Puja committees and disability organisations together to make the city’s biggest celebration more inclusive and accessible.

What happened in the event?

On 27 September 2026, a sensitisation workshop on accessibility during Durga Puja was held at IIT Kharagpur Research Park, Newtown, Kolkata. The initiative aimed to help Puja committees understand different kinds of disabilities and familiarise themselves with the revised accessibility guidelines developed by UNESCO, UN India and IIT Kharagpur. India Autism Center (IAC) participated as one of the Organisation of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) partners in this initiative.

The workshop brought together representatives from more than 20 Durga Puja pandals across Kolkata, creating an opportunity to discuss how accessibility can become an integral part of the city’s celebrations.

The gathering was attended by Smt. Agnimitra Paul, Dr. Saumitra Mohan and Ms. Upali Ray as chief guests. Mr. Chironjit Ganguly from UNESCO also addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of making public celebrations more inclusive.

A key part of the workshop was the presentation of the Accessibility Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Developed by UNESCO, UN India and IIT Kharagpur, the SOP incorporated inputs from IAC, Sanchaar, Sruti and Anjali. Dr. Haimanti Banerji presented the technical aspects of the guidelines, helping participants understand the recommendations and their practical relevance for Puja committees.

This was followed by a roundtable discussion moderated by Ms. Mrinalini Majumdar from Anjali, alongside Ms. Puja Dutta and Ms. Medha Dey from IAC. Representatives from Sanchaar AROD, Sruti Disability Rights Centre, Anjali Mental Health Rights Organisation and Svayam India also took part. The discussion brought together perspectives from different organisations working in the disability and accessibility space.

Key Takeaway

One of the key takeaways from the workshop was that accessibility needs to be planned, not added as an afterthought. Making a Durga Puja pandal accessible begins with understanding the different needs of persons with disabilities and translating that understanding into practical arrangements. The accessibility SOP offered committees a shared framework to guide their efforts and make inclusion a more deliberate part of their planning.

For IAC, the initiative was an opportunity to contribute its experience and work alongside other organisations towards a more accessible Durga Puja. By bringing Puja committees, policymakers and disability organisations into the same conversation, the workshop reinforced the idea that public celebrations should be welcoming and accessible to everyone.