Sahara Samay NCR, in association with leading brand promotions company Brandsmith, is all geared to put its own spin on the lights and festivities of Durga Puja this year. The voice of Delhi NCR, known for its heart for championing talents and causes, will be turning on the competitive spark across the NCR region with its ‘BEST PRATIMA AWARD’ contest.
With an eye to recognizing the talent of those artists and sculptors who work painstakingly all year to produce their best work this time of the year, and another to add an extra layer of gaiety to the very popular ‘Puja’, Sahara Samay NCR will cover pandals and pratimas (the popular name for the images) across the Delhi and NCR region. On the occasion, Mr. Abhijit Sarkar, Head, Corporate Communications at Sahara India said, “Growing up, watching artists at work on their intricate pratima figurines. What better way to reciprocate the sentiment than by giving them the credit they so richly deserve? Sahara Samay NCR’s Durgotsav 2009 will accomplish exactly that. It will inspire budding talent, while rewarding seasoned hands.”
The contest will be structured on the following tiers. First, at Durgotsav ’09, the program organizing team will individually visit all the venues, collecting footage and photographing different pratimas on Shashti and Saptami day (24th & 25th sep). A specially appointed jury of 3 judges will subsequently shortlist 15 top nominations from this list. At 7:30 PM on the 25th of September, on a special telecast, the judges will discuss the basis of their selections and nominations. Parallely, contest rules will be explained and codes released for the next phase – the Grand SMS Finale.
SMS lines will open up at 8 o’clock sharp on the 25th of September, and close at 10:30 pm on the 27th of September. The top two pratima’s will be awarded the coveted Best (and Second Best) Pratima Awards respectively.
So is the Award a precursor of bigger things to come? “Certainly!”
“Sahara Samay NCR’s Best Pratima contest is a celebration of all things we stand for in society”, shares Rajesh Kumar, Channel Head, Sahara Samay NCR. “An occasion of joyous get together for all communities – not just Bengalis – it unites us in colours of Indian-ness like few else. The Award will add a unique touch of competitive thrill and excitement across pandals and societies in the Delhi-NCR region”.
