Durga Puja in Britain becomes a celebration of Bengali identity

By Kanchan Siddiqui Kolkata, Oct 4 (UNI) Durga Puja has become more than a religious festival for Bengalis living in Britain, with celebrations across London, Birmingham and Slough increasingly combining traditional rituals with efforts to preserve Bengali culture and pass it on to younger generations. Camden, which is hosting its 61st Durga Puja, has centred this year's celebrations on womanhood and feminine strength. Dr Ananda Gupta, president of Camden Durga Puja, said the pandal at Swiss Cottage Library would draw on Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's Durgeshnandini to present the theme of Shakti. The celebrations include Khunti Puja on the Thames, Bodhon,…