If communal camaraderie anywhere is to be cited as an instance during Gaja Lakshami festival, then it was witnessed at Kendrapada township where the Hindu and Muslim members celebrated the nine-day-long puja with fervour and gaiety.
In a rare display of respect towards the Hindu festival, the minority community members led by Md Niaz felicitated the presidents and secretaries of all puja organizers at a function at the old bus stand after their medhas reached at the melan ground. They felicitated the office bearers of the puja committees in front of their tableaus.
Sk Aslam, ward councillor of Ward No.13 informed the Vice Chairperson of Kendrapada Municiplaity, Akbari Khatun, also was present with his community members at the felicitation function.
According to president of Central Puja Committee, Old Bus stand, Jugal Kishore Behera, the Muslim members showed a gesture of brotherhood which would cement the communal ties further.
The minority community members felicitated Kendrapada SP Madkar Sandeep Sampat and Sub Collector, Niranjan Behera, along with other officials for smooth conduct of the puja and the idols immersion.