Published on: March 20, 2023 @ 16:50
SPT News, Kolkata, March 20: The Sindhi community celebrated the Sindhi New Year ‘Cheti Chand’ festival in Kolkata yesterday on March 19. It was celebrated in the presence of around 250 people at the Park Street in Kolkata with great pomp. This event was organized by the West Bengal branch of Viswa Sindhi Seva Sangam. VSSS, West Bengal President Mr. Anil Punjabi said – This time the actual date of Sindhi New Year is March 23, 2023. But we have taken the initiative to celebrate our New Year across the country from March 19-26. This is the first event in Kolkata.
West Bengal membership of VSSS is 300. But now there are 10,000 Sindhi people in the state. The event was organized at Apsara Club in Park Street. 250 ‘Cheti Chand’ from the Sindhi community gathered to celebrate the New Year. A troupe of dancers from Rajasthan performed the traditional Sindhi dance at the festival. At the end of the program Sindhi traditional food Sindhi Curry, Pakora, Polao Palak and Monthal Sweet were served.
Members of VSSS who participated in the function are – Mr. Lalit Kalwani (Vice President), Mr. Naresh R Parnani (Secretary), Mr. Kishin Khairajani (Treasure), Mr. Arjun Aswani, Mr. Kishore Samtani, Mrs. Paayall Barwani, Mrs. Neeta Punjabi, Mrs. Anita Nankani, Mr. Kishore Choithramani, Mrs. Divya Parnani, Mr. Jacky Samtani, Mr. Bharat Sharma, Mrs. Usha Choithramani, Mr. Bhgwan N. Shahdadpuri.
In a press release, West Bengal president of Vishwa Sindhi Seva Sangam, Mr. Anil Punjabi said, “The Sindhi community in Kolkata came to undivided India during the partition of India. While a small section of Hindu Sindhis migrated to Calcutta and this part of West Bengal. Their self-contained business units have expanded their operations to build large hotels and other famous landmarks.”
What is “Cheti Chand”?
Cheti Chand i.e. the moon of Chaitra is a festival that marks the beginning of the Lunar Hindu New Year for Sindhi Hindus. The date of the festival is based on the lunar cycle of the lunar Hindu calendar, on the first day of the year, in the month of Chet (Chaitra). It usually falls in late March or early April in the Gregorian calendar, on the same day as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra and Ugadi in other parts of southern India. Cheti Chand is a very important festival for the people of the Sindhi community. This festival is also celebrated as Jhulelal Jayanti. The Sindhi community celebrates the birth anniversary of their main deity, Jhule Lal. Lord Varuna is worshiped on this day. Worshiping them brings happiness and prosperity. Cheti Chand is not only a festival but also a symbol of Indus civilization. At present, it is known all over India.
Published on: March 20, 2023 @ 16:50
