BJ Block, Sector II, Salt Lake City, Kolkata
Location and Geography
BJ Block সল্টলেকে বি জে ব্লক is a neighborhood situated in Sector II of Salt Lake City, within the North 24 Parganas District of West Bengal, India. It is part of the urban agglomeration of Kolkata and is positioned strategically close to several other prominent areas. Notably, it is near Phool Bagan (4.87 Km), Kankurgachi (5.14 Km), Beliaghata (6.02 Km), and Ultadanga (6.76 Km). Nearby cities include New Town / Rajarhat and Dhapa Manpur.
Cultural Significance and Events
BJ Block is renowned for its vibrant cultural scene, particularly highlighted during the Durga Puja festival. The block's celebration of this major Hindu festival has won numerous accolades, including the Sharad Samman Award in October 2023. The award-winning theme for that year was "Adi Yogi," inspired by the iconic Adi Yogi statue in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, which influenced the artistic design of the pandal (temporary structure erected for the festival).
Another notable event in BJ Block is the Bird Show, organized by the All Bengal Bird Lover’s Organisation at the Salt Lake BJ Block Park. This event takes place during the winter and forms part of Bengal’s Cultural & Nature Festival. The 2022 show was an initiative by Mayor Krishna Chakraborty, then the chairperson of the board of administrators, Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation. The event featured over 80 varieties of birds and was attended by actresses Ritabhari Chakraborty and Sohini Sarkar as chief guests, drawing significant attention and participation from bird enthusiasts and the general public.
Controversies
BJ Block has also been the focus of some controversies concerning the misuse of guest houses for illicit activities. In February 2024, a significant police operation took place at BJ 301 guest house (BJ Block, Sector II, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700091) within the block. The Bidhannagar East Police conducted a raid, resulting in the arrest of seven individuals linked to a prostitution racket purportedly operating under the guise of a guesthouse. The raid led to the rescue of three individuals and the arrest of the guest house manager, four employees, and three customers, highlighting ongoing challenges in policing and community safety within the area. Unfortunately as of May 2024, the guest house is again open and conducting suspicious business.
Conclusion
BJ Block remains a microcosm of Kolkata's larger societal and cultural dynamics, representing both the city's rich cultural heritage and the contemporary challenges it faces. The neighborhood continues to attract attention for its significant cultural contributions as well as the social issues it encounters.
Source:
- https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/news/all-bengal-bird-lovers-organisation-hosts-bird-show-at-salt-lake-bj-park/cid/1853408
- https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/news/fresh-pandals-enter-list-of-crowd-pullers/cid/1975041
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