My heritage is Indian. India is diverse in cultures. I come from the state of West Bengal where Durga puja is the most celebrated festival. Durga Puja has made a place on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO.
The people from West Bengal are called Bengalis. The heartbeats of the Bengalis lie in the four days of the festival. During Durga Puja, Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, comes alive with artistic pandals adorned with intricate decor and vibrant festive celebrations. I am grateful to the U.S., the country that respects and embraces cultures across the globe. The country gives us a platform to continue celebrating the festivities of our cultural heritage. I serve on the decoration team for the Bengali Cultural Society of Greater Cleveland’s Durga Puja celebration. Through this volunteer role, I contribute to cultural event planning, decoration, and community engagement efforts that support the celebration and preservation of Bengali cultural traditions.
This service reflects my commitment to community building, cultural connection, and volunteer engagement beyond my academic work.
Food Drive for donation at Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
It's time to give back to our society. Even a small donation can make a difference in the lives of underserved individuals and families. I organized a food drive to donate food and cash to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. I am grateful to contribute to the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) or Senior Boxes through a volunteer opportunity at the food bank. We worked as a team and packed boxes that served 400 families, especially seniors, during the winter months. A little initiative from us can help seniors prioritize essential medicines while also ensuring reliable access to food.