In the kaleidoscope of Kolkata’s Durga Puja, where lights, colours, and chants of “Bolo Durga Mai Ki Jai” fill the air, one man stands as a symbol of harmony and inclusivity—Gulam Ashraf, Managing Director of Phonex Group of Companies. At a time when communities often struggle to rise above religious divides, Ashraf, a devout Muslim, has been at the forefront of organizing the Phonex 74 Palli Sarbojanin Durgotsav Puja Pandal, one of the city’s most vibrant celebrations of Maa Durga.
For Ashraf, the festival is not just about grandeur and spectacle. Year after year, he immerses himself in the rituals, walking hand-in-hand with priests, devotees, and artisans, ensuring that every detail of the puja is a reflection of Bengal’s spiritual essence. His involvement is personal, heartfelt, and deeply symbolic.
This year, the puja pandal was inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Smt. Mamata Banerjee, in the august presence of Mr. Firhad Hakim (Minister in Charge, West Bengal and Mayor of Kolkata), Mr. Gulam Ashraf himself, and Mr. Shams Iqbal (Councillor, Ward 134, KMC). The event was not only a cultural spectacle but also a statement of Bengal’s enduring tradition of communal harmony.
When asked about his inspiration, Ashraf smiles with humility: “It all comes from my father. He always believed that festivals are not about religion—they are about people, about togetherness. I am simply continuing what he began, with Maa Durga’s blessings.”
This ethos of unity is the hallmark of Ashraf’s journey. His puja pandal has grown into more than a religious event; it has become a cultural landmark, drawing people across communities to witness how faith can bridge divides rather than create them.
Yet, Ashraf’s contribution doesn’t stop at organizing. With a sharp sense of social responsibility, he often uses the puja platform to address contemporary issues. A passionate advocate of healthy living, he inspires the city’s youth to say no to alcohol and instead invest in their well-being through fitness and discipline. For him, devotion to Maa Durga also means devotion to self-growth and responsibility.
In a city that prides itself on its cosmopolitan identity, Gulam Ashraf represents the true spirit of Kolkata—where boundaries of faith blur and what remains is shared humanity. His role in the Phonex 74 Palli Sarbojanin Durgotsav is not only about organizing one of Kolkata’s grandest pujas but about sending a message to society: that unity, respect, and tradition belong to everyone, regardless of religion.
As the dhaakis drum and the chandeliers glow at this year’s Phonex 74 Palli pandal, one can’t help but see the larger story it tells—of a Muslim man honoring a Hindu goddess, of a father’s inspiration living on, and of Bengal’s eternal gift to the world: inclusivity.
