Alipurduar, 03rd October: In a remarkable display of talent, young Ankit Debnath, a seventh-grade student from the Dwipchar area of Alipurduar, has captured the attention of his neighborhood by creating and worshipping Durga idols made entirely by his own hands. Despite having no formal training, Ankit’s skill and dedication have made him a local sensation.
From a young age, Ankit had a fascination with playing with clay, which soon blossomed into a passion for idol-making. Years ago, he began crafting a Durga idol and held a small puja outside his home. His talent was quickly recognized, and the entire neighborhood joined in the celebration. This marked the beginning of an annual tradition where Ankit, now skilled in creating idols for Durga Puja, Kali Puja, and Saraswati Puja, leads the community’s festivities with idols made by himself.
Ankit’s mother proudly shares that since her son began making the idols, their family has no longer needed to visit Kumortuli, the famous hub for idol artisans. For Kojagori Lakshmi Puja, she even organized the celebration at home, using an idol made by her talented son.
Despite financial constraints, with Ankit’s father being a small vegetable seller and the family relying solely on his income, his parents fully supported their son’s passion. Initially concerned about the costs involved, they eventually provided him with the necessary tools to pursue his craft, allowing Ankit to continue developing his unique skills.
Every evening after school, Ankit dedicates himself to crafting idols, with neighbors flocking to admire his work. They regard him as a gifted artist, and for the past three years, Durga Puja has been celebrated in the neighborhood using the idols created by Ankit. This year, the tradition will continue, with the community eagerly looking forward to another Puja with an idol sculpted by the young artisan.