New Horizons Seniors Program

Deshantari’s NHSP project started on 14 March, 2016 and will continue until 13 March, 2017 and the following members will be organizing the various senior activities during this time complementing Deshantari’s other regular activities:
  1. Prabir Neogi (Chair and Core-Member)
  2. Atulesh Nandi (Core-Member) 
  3. Arun Roy (Core-Member)
  4. Angsuman Rudra
  5. Manas Dan
  6. Anindo Maiti
The NHSP team welcomes feedback from the community on the type of senior activities they would like us to organize that relate to enhancing the seniors’ social well-being and community vitality. These senior activities are open to all Deshantari members and will be held in strong collaboration with organizations like Indo-Canada Community Centre (ICCC), India-Canada Association (ICA), and Nepalese Canadian Association of Ottawa (NCAO). At the moment the NHSP team plans to use these funds primarily to organize 10 Workshops (usually one per month) that will address various senior well-being issues.

Event Calendar Agenda View

Oct
11
Fri
2013
Durga Puja: October 11-13, 2013 @ Heron Gate Community Centre
Oct 11 @ 10:00 am – Oct 13 @ 4:00 pm

2014 Durga Puja

Fri Oct 11 to Sun Oct 13, 2013

Deshantari’s main event the Durga Puja was organized at the Heron Gate Community Centre from 11 – 13 Oct, 2013. The Puja Chairperson welcomed the members with the following note:

“The countdown for the much awaited Deshantari event of the year is over. It is time for Durga Puja.
With festive alacrity we have made all the arrangements so that you have a wonderful time and enjoy a grand celebration of our culture and traditions. A large team of dedicated volunteers have been working very hard over the past couple of months in preparation for the ceremonial worship, rehearsing for the cultural programs, fund-raising and even researching on the latest culinary trends.

I know men are eagerly looking forward to their long “adda” sessions with friends over a cup of tea just as ladies have started checking out their latest sari and jewellery collection bought on their recent visits to India. Children can hardly wait for a few days of no homework but pure fun with their friends!

Without further ado, I on behalf of the Deshantari Executive Committee welcome you, your family and
friends to the 32nd Durga Puja in Ottawa. This year we have organized a variety of cultural programs
from Bengali Natak to children’s Talent show. There will be a diverse mix of garment and jewellery stalls for those of you who love to shop. A large group of volunteers have meticulously planned an exquisite selection of food and misti that you will find truly irresistible. During these three days we have also set-up a booth to collect food donations that would go towards the “Ottawa Food Bank”.

Finally I would like to thank my committee and all volunteers for their selfless dedication and hard work in making the arrangements for this year’s Durga Puja. Last but not least, a note of thanks goes to all our advertisers, sponsors and donors for their generous financial support.

I look forward to seeing you all and I am certain you will find this year’s Durga Puja as enjoyable as it
has always been! Once again, welcome to Durga Puja 2013.”

The program details and menu were as follows:

Date Program Details
Friday, Oct 11, 2013: Maha Sasthi
Priests: Sushil K. Bhattacharya and
Nirmal Sinha
06:00 pm: Maha Shasthi Puja
07:00 pm: Sandhya Arati and Prasad
07:30 pm: Cultural Program (Kids Talent show)
08:30 pm: Dinner
09:30 pm: Cultural Program (Shefali and Group)
10:30 pm: Cultural Program (Classical Music)
11:45 pm: Hall Closing
Saturday, Oct 12, 2013: Maha
Saptami & Maha Ashtami
Morning Priests: Sushil K.
Bhattacharya, Nirmal SinhaEvening Priests: Sushil K. Bhattacharya,
Nirmal Sinha
09:00 am: Maha Saptami & Maha Ashtami Puja
01:30 pm: Pushpanjali and Prasad
02:00 pm: Lunch06:00 pm: Sandhya Puja
07:30 pm: Sandhya Arati and Prasad
07:45 pm: Children’s Classical Dance
08:15 pm: Dinner
09:30 pm: Bengali Nathak – “Bhuter Bhobhishot”
12:45 pm: Hall Closing
Sunday, Oct 13, 2013: Maha Navami
and Bijaya Dashami
Morning Priests: Aditya Chakravarti and
Ashutosh Bagchi
10:00 am: Maha Navami Puja
12:00 pm: Dashami Puja, Bisharjon
01:30 pm: Sindur Khela
02:00 pm: Lunch
04:30 pm: Hall Closing

The Durga Puja and Lakshmi festivities were attended by a record number of people. The Puja hall and
stall layout was completely changed this year to make room for a large number of people. The Executive
Committee received an overwhelming response and deep appreciation for a well organized event.

Members were particularly appreciative of the Bengali Nathak, the cultural program (Jalsa) on Lakshmi
Puja and the food selection and arrangements outstanding on all days. This was made possible by the
tireless work of a very large number of dedicated volunteers.

This year the committee also took initiative to collect items for the Ottawa Food Bank throughout the
festivities and also gave away boxes of Bengali books to anyone interested in reading Bengali books.

Oct
19
Sat
2013
Lakshmi Puja: October 19, 2013 @ Heron Gate Community Centre
Oct 19 @ 4:00 pm – 10:30 pm

2014 Lakshmi Puja

Saturday Oct 19, 2013

Program:

Date Program Details
Saturday, 19 Oct, 2013: Lakshmi Puja
Evening Priest: Nirmal Sinha
05:00 pm: Lakshmi Puja
07:00 pm: Jalsa Program
08:15 pm: Variety Program
08:30 pm: Dinnerg

The Durga Puja and Lakshmi Puja festivities were attended by a record number of people. The Puja hall and stall layout was completely changed this year to make room for a large number of people. The Executive Committee received an overwhelming response and deep appreciation for a well organized event.

Members were particularly appreciative of the Bengali Nathak, the cultural program (Jalsa) on Lakshmi
Puja and the food selection and arrangements outstanding on all days. This was made possible by the
tireless work of a very large number of dedicated volunteers.

This year the committee also took initiative to collect items for the Ottawa Food Bank throughout the
festivities and also gave away boxes of Bengali books to anyone interested in reading Bengali books.

Feb
9
Sun
2014
Saraswati Puja: February 9, 2014 @ Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre
Feb 9 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Saraswati Puja

Sunday, February 09, 2014

 

Deshantari celebrated Saraswati Puja on Sunday February 9th at the Ron Kolbus Center. The schedule of activities was as follows:

  • Puja and Pushpanjali: 10 am-11.30 am (Hathekhori will be after puja)
  • Children’s drawing competition: 11.30-12:00 pm
  • Children’s talent show: 12:00-12:20
  • Kobitar Asor: 12:25-1:00 pm
  • Lunch: 1-2 pm

Among the other cultural programs Deshantari organized a “Kobitar Asor” performed by Mabhin Ghosh
Datta from Kalavatee Dance Centre and Saumita Banerjea, an invited elocutionist from Toronto. This
event received excellent response from all sections of the Community

Oct
3
Fri
2014
Durga Puja: October 3-5, 2014 @ Heron Road Multi-Service Centre, Ottawa
Oct 3 @ 10:00 am – Oct 5 @ 4:00 pm

2014 Annual Autumn Festival & Sharad Utsav
Durga Puja

Fri Oct 3 to Sun Oct 5, 2014

 

Oct
11
Sat
2014
Lakshmi Puja: October 11, 2014 @ Heron Road Multi-Service Centre, Ottawa
Oct 11 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

2014 Annual Autumn Festival & Sharad Utsav
Lakshmi Puja

Saturday Oct 11, 2014

 

Sep
29
Fri
2017
NHSP – Transportation Assistance to Seniors
Sep 29 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

NHSP – Transportation Assistance to Seniors

Transportation Assistance Service

1) Shared Taxi service to and from the venue of the event, provided to a limited number of Deshantari seniors with mobility issues

2) Durga & Lakshmi Puja celebration events at the Ron Kolbus Centre

3) Bijaya Sammilani event at the Kailash Mittal Theatre, Carleton Univ.

NHSP funds used

– These seniors are long standing members of Deshantari, who have mobility issues that prevent them from driving or taking OCTranspo,

-Without this assistance it would be impossible for them to attend these key religious and cultural events.

-Response from the seniors assisted was extremely positive.

Maha Sasthi and Maha Saptami Puja: Sept. 29, 2017 @ Ron Kolbus Lakeside Center
Sep 29 @ 10:30 am – 10:00 pm

Maha Sasthi and Maha Saptami Puja

Friday, Sept. 29, 2017

Priest: Sushil Bhattacharya (Sasthi and Saptami morning)
Tantra-dharak: Subhankar Pandit (Sasthi and Saptami morning)
Priest: Nirmal Sinha (Saptami evening)
Tantra-dharak: Mita Das (Saptami evening)
Bhog: Shipra Chandra (morning) & Ila Datta (evening)
Puja Lead: Sharmista Roy (morning) & Shila Biswas (evening)
Timings
Maha Sasthi puja and Bodhan 10:30 A.M. – 12:30 PM
Maha Saptami puja 12:45 P.M.– 3 PM
Evening puja 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Sandhya Arati 7:00 PM – 7:15 PM
Cultural Program (play by children) 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Dinner 8:30 PM – 10 PM
Hall Closes 11 PM
Sep
30
Sat
2017
Maha Astami and Sondhi Puja: Sept. 30, 2017 @ Ron Kolbus Lakeside Center
Sep 30 @ 8:30 am – 10:30 pm

Maha Astami and Sondhi Puja

Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017

Priest: Sushil Bhattacharya
Tantra-dharak (Astami puja): Bonnie Chakraborty
Tantra-dharak (Sondhi puja): Subhankar Pandit
Bhog: Shibani Cherla (morning) & Chitra Ghosh (evening)
Puja Lead: Mita Das (morning) & Manoshi Kumar (evening)
Timings
Maha Astami puja 8:30 AM – 12 Noon
Anjali 12 Noon
Lunch 1 PM- 2:30 PM
Sondhi puja 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Sandhya arati 7:00 PM
Dinner 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Cultural Program (Bangla Natak) 9 PM – 10:30 PM
Hall Closes 12:30 AM
NHSP – Transportation Assistance to Seniors
Sep 30 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

NHSP – Transportation Assistance to Seniors

Transportation Assistance Service

1) Shared Taxi service to and from the venue of the event, provided to a limited number of Deshantari seniors with mobility issues

2) Durga & Lakshmi Puja celebration events at the Ron Kolbus Centre

3) Bijaya Sammilani event at the Kailash Mittal Theatre, Carleton Univ.

NHSP funds used

– These seniors are long standing members of Deshantari, who have mobility issues that prevent them from driving or taking OCTranspo,

-Without this assistance it would be impossible for them to attend these key religious and cultural events.

-Response from the seniors assisted was extremely positive.

Oct
1
Sun
2017
NHSP – Transportation Assistance to Seniors
Oct 1 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

NHSP – Transportation Assistance to Seniors

Transportation Assistance Service

1) Shared Taxi service to and from the venue of the event, provided to a limited number of Deshantari seniors with mobility issues

2) Durga & Lakshmi Puja celebration events at the Ron Kolbus Centre

3) Bijaya Sammilani event at the Kailash Mittal Theatre, Carleton Univ.

NHSP funds used

– These seniors are long standing members of Deshantari, who have mobility issues that prevent them from driving or taking OCTranspo,

-Without this assistance it would be impossible for them to attend these key religious and cultural events.

-Response from the seniors assisted was extremely positive.

Maha Navami and Bijoya Dashami Puja: Oct 01, 2017 @ Ron Kolbus Lakeside Center
Oct 1 @ 9:30 am – 1:30 pm

Maha Navami and Bijoya Dashami Puja

Sunday, Oct 01, 2017

Priest: Aditya Chakraborty
Tantra-dharak: Sumit Banerjee
Bhog: Hasu Ghosh
Puja Lead: Jyotsna Seal
Timings
Maha Navami 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Anjali 11:30 AM
Dashami puja and Biswarjan 12 Noon – 1 PM
Sidur Khela, Kolakuli & Bijoya Greetings 1 PM – 1:30 PM
Sandhya arati 1:30 PM
Hall Closes 7 PM
Oct
8
Sun
2017
NHSP – Transportation Assistance to Seniors
Oct 8 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

NHSP – Transportation Assistance to Seniors

Transportation Assistance Service

1) Shared Taxi service to and from the venue of the event, provided to a limited number of Deshantari seniors with mobility issues

2) Durga & Lakshmi Puja celebration events at the Ron Kolbus Centre

3) Bijaya Sammilani event at the Kailash Mittal Theatre, Carleton Univ.

NHSP funds used

– These seniors are long standing members of Deshantari, who have mobility issues that prevent them from driving or taking OCTranspo,

-Without this assistance it would be impossible for them to attend these key religious and cultural events.

-Response from the seniors assisted was extremely positive.

Lakshmi Puja and Cultural Events: Oct 08, 2017 @ Ron Kolbus Lakeside Center
Oct 8 @ 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Lakshmi Puja and Cultural Events

Sunday, Oct 08, 2017

Priest: Nirmal Sinha
Tantra-dharak: Subhankar Pandit
Bhog: Ruma Bose
Puja Lead: Jayanti Roy
Timings
Laxmi Puja 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Prasad distribution 6 PM
Cultural Program 6:30 -7:30 PM
Dinner 7:30 PM
Hall Closes 12 AM
Nov
5
Sun
2017
NHSP – Transportation Assistance to Seniors
Nov 5 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

NHSP – Transportation Assistance to Seniors

Transportation Assistance Service

1) Shared Taxi service to and from the venue of the event, provided to a limited number of Deshantari seniors with mobility issues

2) Durga & Lakshmi Puja celebration events at the Ron Kolbus Centre

3) Bijaya Sammilani event at the Kailash Mittal Theatre, Carleton Univ.

NHSP funds used

– These seniors are long standing members of Deshantari, who have mobility issues that prevent them from driving or taking OCTranspo,

-Without this assistance it would be impossible for them to attend these key religious and cultural events.

-Response from the seniors assisted was extremely positive.

Jan
28
Sun
2018
Saraswati Puja: January 28, 2018 @ Ron Kolbus Lakeside Center
Jan 28 @ 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Saraswati Puja

Sunday, January 18, 2018

Program: Not available.

Apr
21
Sat
2018
Deshantari Annual Dinner 2018 – April 21, 2018 @ Centurian Conference and Event Centre
Apr 21 @ 6:00 pm – 11:45 pm

Annual Dinner 2018 – April 21, 2018

Buy Tickets Online (Click Here)

Buy Tickets In Cash (Call the Numbers given below)

Oct
19
Fri
2018
SPCO – Transportation Assistance Service to Seniors
Oct 19 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

SPCO – Transportation Assistance to Seniors

Transportation Assistance Service

1) Shared Taxi service to and from the venue of the event, provided to a limited number of Deshantari seniors with mobility issues during Durga & Lakshmi Puja celebration events at the Ron Kolbus Centre

SPCO funds to use

– These seniors are long standing members of Deshantari, who have mobility issues that prevent them from driving or taking OCTranspo,

-Without this assistance it would be impossible for them to attend these key religious and cultural events.

-Response from the seniors assisted was extremely positive.

Maha Sasthi and Maha Saptami Puja: Oct. 19, 2018 @ Ron Kolbus Lakeside Center
Oct 19 @ 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Maha Sasthi and Maha Saptami Puja

Friday, Oct. 19, 2018

Priest: Sushil Bhattacharya (Sasthi and Saptami morning)
Tantra-dharak: Subhankar Pandit (Sasthi and Saptami morning)
Observer: Soumya Bagchi
Priest: Nirmal Sinha (Saptami evening)
Tantra-dharak: Mita Das (Saptami evening)
Bhog: Shipra Chandra (morning) & Hasu Ghosh(evening)
Puja Lead: Nandini Sengupta and Minakshi Sarkar (morning) & Gopa Bhoumik and Mabhin Ghosh Datta(evening)
Timings
Maha Sasthi puja and Bodhan 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 PM
Maha Saptami puja 12:30 P.M.– 3 PM
Evening puja 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Sandhya Arati 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Cultural Program (play by children) 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Dinner 8:00 PM – 10 PM
Hall Closes 10:30 PM
Maha Sasthi and Maha Saptami Puja: Oct. 19, 2018 @ Ron Kolbus Lakeside Center
Oct 19 @ 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Maha Sasthi and Maha Saptami Puja

Friday, Oct. 19, 2018

Priest: Sushil Bhattacharya (Sasthi and Saptami morning)
Tantra-dharak: Subhankar Pandit (Sasthi and Saptami morning)
Observer: Soumya Bagchi
Priest: Nirmal Sinha (Saptami evening)
Tantra-dharak: Mita Das (Saptami evening)
Bhog: Shipra Chandra (morning) & Hasu Ghosh(evening)
Puja Lead: Nandini Sengupta and Minakshi Sarkar (morning) & Gopa Bhoumik and Mabhin Ghosh Datta(evening)
Timings
Maha Sasthi puja and Bodhan 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 PM
Maha Saptami puja 12:30 P.M.– 3 PM
Evening puja 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Sandhya Arati 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Cultural Program (play by children) 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Dinner 8:00 PM – 10 PM
Hall Closes 10:30 PM