LookingBack,andLookingAhead

Wheredidthoselasttwoyearsgo?Seemslikeitwasjustyesterdayyouelectedusasyourrepresentative
fortheofficeofDurgabariExecutiveBoard,andnextmonthweareonthevergeofelectinganotherboard.
AsIlookbackononeofthemostchallenging,rewardingandquickestyearsofmylife,Icanhonestlysay
fromthebottomofmyheartitsbeenquitearide!HaveyoueverbeenonarideattheDisneylandorat
any amusement park? Every ride has its ups and downs. Sometimes you wish it could last forever, and
sometimesyouprayforittostop.YouaskyourselfWhatwasIthinkingwhenIgotonthisone?Thenyou
getoffandtellallyourfriendstheyshouldgoontheridetoo!

Past two years have been full of (mostly) ups and (a few) downs and that is inevitable. The strength of
Durgabari is in its members. At every step we saw the dedicated volunteers gave their all to ensure that
eachmembergetsthemostoutofeachprogram,religious,communitybasedwhateveritmaybe.Allofus
together have the skills and necessary interest to run Durga Bari. We divided the work amongst many
volunteersandhadtherightvolunteertodotherightwork.Professionalismandcommunicationwereour
forte. We let you know what we were planning to do, how the plans were going and when the plan was
implemented. Unexpected challenges, the odd disappointment are part of life. Constructive criticism is
alwayshealthy;premeditatedonestastedourpatience but, welearnedthroughallthat.Allinallithas
been a tremendous experience for me and I hope that I have contributed to the shaping of Durgabari in
someway.

Looking ahead, Durgabari as an organization is poised for greatness. We have the opportunity to really
attractthefuturegenerationthroughournewlybuilteducationcenter.Wehavetheopportunitytobridge
thegenerationgapandpursuethegoalsthatwealreadydefinedandwebelievedasachievable.Thishas
resulted in young adults taking part in community activities and most importantly, our next generation
enjoyingtheSundayfareatDurgaBari.LetMaDurgablessusandhelpusalltobecourageousastogether
wefacethechallengesaheadforagreatfutureforallofus.

Thank you all for the honor and the privilege of serving you for the past two years. Thanks to all the
volunteersforthedayin anddayout supportto keepDurgabarirunningeffectively.We askallofyouto
partakeinthisjourneyweneedyoursupportphysical,financialandintellectualtomakethisafruitful
pursuit. During the last seven years, HDBS has blossomed in every aspect and will in the years to come.
Thankstoallofthosewhowiththeirmoney,time,anddedicationhavemadethisinstitutionamemorable
andagreatone.WithMaaDurgasblessingsandyourhealthycooperation,wewillbesuccessful.

GopenduChakraborty

HDBSPresident

10September2008

IamgladtonotethatHoustonDurgaBariisorganizingannualDurgaPujacelebrations
fromOctober1012,2008.DurgaPujaisthemostimportantfestivalofBengalis.Itisa
celebrationoflife,culture,popularIndiancustomsandtraditions.

Houston Durga Bari plays a significant role not only in the preservation of the unique
linguistic and cultural identity of the Bengali community but also provides a forum to
educate our offsprings about the rich traditional and cultural values of India. It also
providesaplatformwheremembersofthecommunitycanmeet,interactandexchange
views, ideas and promote mutual understanding. I would like to congratulate the
HoustonDurgaBariforthecommendableworktheyaredoing.

IextendmyheartiestPujagreetingstotheBengalicommunityandbestwishesforthe
continuedsuccessoftheHoustonDurgaBariSocietyinthecomingyears.

CONSULGENERALOFINDIA

Houston

3PostOakCentral,Suite#600&1990PoatOakBlvd,Houston,Texas77066
Tel:(713)6262148and(713)6262149
Fax:(713)6262450
E-mail: cgi-hou@swbel.net

OnbehalfofthePujacommittee,Iwanttoextendaheartywelcometoyouto2008PujasatDurga
Bari.Halfaglobeaway,ateamofvolunteershastriedhardtorecreatethemagicofBengalduring
thePujaseasonsothatyoufeelathomeandenjoythewarmthoftheoccasion.ItisyourPujaand
allofustogethercreatethespecialfeeling,souniquetothisgrandevent.

WeareextremelyfortunatetohaveourownDurgaBari,tobethevenueforthiscelebrationyet
anotherachievementinNorthAmerica.Aswecelebrate,wearedeeplysaddenedbythedemiseof
ourownSatyaDa,SatyaRanjanChatterjee,whoputtremendouseffortbehindthefoundationof
DurgaBari.Weareevergratefultohiscontributionsothatallofusandfuturememberscanenjoy
itsbenefits.

Hurricane Ike has also deeply affected our community. But, the resolute determination, ever
presentinourBengalispirit,haswithstooditseffectsandintrueBengalifashion,wearepickingup
thepiecesandmovingon.

FinallyIwanttoendwithasincerevoteofthankstoallthecountlessvolunteers,whohaveputin
unbelievableefforttomakethisaresoundingsuccess.Finally,Iwarmlywelcomeallofyoutoenjoy
thePujas,feelathome,and,forgivethehonestmistakes.

It is our Puja lets celebrate together and seek Maa Durgas blessings for all our families and
friends.

BestPujawishes,

PradipTalukdar
Chairperson,HDBSPujaCommittee

________________________________________________________________________________
Houston Durga Bari Society
13944 Schiller Road, Houston, Texas 77082
Phone (281) 265-4285, (281) 589-7700

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2008 PUJA PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Durga Puja
Friday October 10 - Shashti and Saptami
Morning & Afternoon
8:00 AM
Chandipath & Shashti Puja
9:00 AM
Naba Patrika Prabesh & Maha Saptami Puja
12:00 PM
Anjali & Bhog Arati
1:00 PM
Prashad & Lunch (90 minutes)
Evening
7:00 PM
Sandhyarati
8:00 PM
Prasad & Dinner (90 minutes)
9:30 PM
Cultural Program (Raghab Chatterjee)

Saturday October 11 - Asthami

Morning & Afternoon
8:00 AM
Chandipath
9:00 AM
Maha Asthami Puja
12:00 AM
Anjali & Bhog Arati
1:00 AM
Prasad & Lunch
2:30 PM
Kobi Bandana (Variety Program)
5:00 PM
Sondhi Puja
Evening
6:00 PM
Sandhyarati & Dhunuchi Nacch
8:00 PM
Cultural Program Srishti (60 minutes)
9.00 PM
Prashad & Dinner (90 minutes)
10:30 PM
Cultural Program Sampa Kundu

Sunday October 12 - Navami & Dashami

Morning & Afternoon
8:00 AM
Chandipath
9:00 AM
Maha Navami Puja
12:00 PM
Anjali & Bhog Arati
1:00 PM
Havan (30 minutes)
1:00 PM
Prasad & Lunch (90 minutes)
1:30 PM
Mukta Mela Childrens Cultural Program (2 hrs)
4:00 PM
Naba Patrika Bisarjan & Sindoor Khela
Evening
6:00 PM
Sandhyarati
6:30 PM
Bhalobasha & Musical Program
7:30 PM
Fashion Show
8:30 PM
Prasad & Dinner (90 minutes)

2008 PUJA PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Kali Puja
Friday October 24
Evening
8:00 PM
10:00 PM
10:30 PM
11:00 PM

Kali Puja
Puspanjali, Bhog Arati & Havan
Classical Songs by Binay Pathak in the Temple
Prasad & Dinner

Saturday October 25
Morning & Afternoon
10:00 AM
Special Kali Puja
1:30 PM
Prasad & Lunch
3:30 PM
Diwali Local Cultural Variety Program
Evening
6:00 PM
Sandhyarati
7:30 PM
Prasad & Dinner
9:00pm
Natok Chaddabeshi

Swaraswati Puja
Saturday January 31 2009