Childhood Lost to Smartphone Addiction: Sevak Sangha's 18th Shyama Puja to Deliver a Strong Social Message

Shyama Puja is synonymous with grand celebrations and dazzling illuminations in Dharmanagar, popularly regarded as Tripura's second city. However, keeping pace with the festive grandeur of the town, several prominent pujas have also been organised over the years in Churaibari, located along the Tripura-Assam border. Among them, Sevak Sangha Club has established itself as a familiar name. Preparing for its 18th year of celebrations, the club is once again going beyond decorative lighting and elaborate pandal designs to highlight pressing social issues through an innovative theme.

Club president Ratan Chand said that Sevak Sangha has been organising Shyama Puja for years, matching the festive enthusiasm of Dharmanagar. However, the distinguishing feature of their celebrations has always been the emphasis on social awareness. Every year, the club attempts to portray contemporary social problems and moral decline through its thematic presentations, and this year will be no exception.

This year's central theme, titled 'Childhood Lost in Mobile Phones', will highlight the alarming impact of excessive smartphone use on children, adolescents and young people. Through the theme, the club intends to draw attention to how uncontrolled dependence on smartphones is affecting childhood, normal development and social relationships among the younger generation. The organisers believe that unless society becomes conscious of this growing problem in time, future generations may face serious consequences.

The club's social awareness initiatives will not remain confined to the puja pandal. A colourful procession will also be organised to spread messages against substance abuse and violence against women. Various awareness programmes, along with street plays depicting the harsh realities of society, will form part of this year's celebrations. The organisers aim to use the festive platform to communicate meaningful social messages to the wider public.

Since its inception, Sevak Sangha Club has also been providing a platform for local artists and emerging talents to showcase their abilities. Continuing this tradition, the club is set to publish 'Swaralika' for the first time in Churaibari under its own initiative. The publication is expected to add a new dimension to the local cultural landscape.

Club advisers Dipankar Debnath and Dilip Sarkar, along with secretary Asit Dey, said that the puja pandal would remain open to visitors for four consecutive days. According to them, thousands of visitors from Churaibari and surrounding areas, Dharmanagar town and neighbouring Sribhumi district of Assam visit the club's pandal every year. The massive turnout often makes the available pandal space appear inadequate.

With its 18th edition, Sevak Sangha's Shyama Puja is poised to become more than just a religious and cultural celebration. While its central theme seeks to raise awareness about childhood being lost to smartphone addiction, its wider initiatives will address substance abuse and violence against women. The club is preparing to attract visitors from both Tripura and neighbouring Assam, hoping that its social messages will leave a lasting impression beyond the festive celebrations.