Malda, Oct. 5 -- In Malda, where lotus flowers are being carefully preserved for one of Hinduism's most revered festivals, a quiet story of communal harmony is taking shape inside a cold storage facility at Kamalabari in English Bazar block.
As Bengal prepares for Durga Puja, lotus growers and traders in Malda are working against time to ensure a steady supply of the flower, which is an important part of several rituals during the festival.
Interestingly, many of those cultivating and collecting lotus flowers in Malda are Muslims. For them, the flower is a source of livelihood. For Hindu devotees, the same flower becomes an offering of faith. This simple connection between livelihood and devotion has added a special dimension to the Durga...