GUWAHATI, Sept 24 - Human will prevailed over Nature�s fury, by the grace of Mother Goddess!
The 110-foot bamboo Durga idol of city�s Bishnupur Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee, which was brought down by a storm on September 17, has been re-erected again within just six days.
On Sunday, the re-erected idol crossed well over 90 feet, and once the crown is placed on the head, it would be close to 100 feet, qualifying it for two records � for the tallest bamboo sculpture as well as the tallest Durga idol.
�Sheer will of the people made it possible. It only goes on to show that no other power is as strong as will power. We received support from so many from across the State after the incident,� noted artisan Nuruddin Ahmed, the man behind the gigantic Durga idol, said.
The earlier structure was erected in about one and a half months� time.
�Earlier, the workers had a routine schedule. Around 30 artisans used to work from 8 am to 8 pm. But now, we have doubled the number of workers, who are working day and night. Locals, too, are chipping in, in whatever form they can,� Ahmed�s son Deep said.
As things stand, nearly 90 per cent of the work has been completed, with the organising committee hoping that it would be ready by tomorrow evening.
�After the idol was brought down, the main work was to clear the debris. Our workers had gone home that day for Vishwakarma Puja. But nearly 150 local youths trooped in and did the work within just five hours. And that night itself, the area was cleared,� Deep recalled.
The work on the platform began the next day around noon and completed by 2 am on the following day.
�The work was easier later, as the workers, from what they had learnt in their first experience, knew exactly what to do. Not much experimentation was required. Unlike before, this time, however, we made the parts on ground and hauled them up. There was only a minor change in the structure as compared to the previous one�one hand of Durga was raised earlier, but this time we are bending it,� Deep said.
Moreover, the new structure is being erected from the ground. Earlier, there was a 10 feet platform below, with a cavern made to showcase Majuli�s mask art. The mask craft � also made of bamboo � will be on display in a platform built adjacent to the 100-feet idol in the new model.
To protect the new structure this time, workers are also using safety chains on its sides. The bamboo idol will be kept on display till October 12.
Organisers are in touch with the officials of the Guinness Book of World Records and Limca Book of Records. Two government officers have been appointed as adjudicators. Besides, the organising committee will have to compile a video of the structure with necessary formalities and send it to the authorities for recognition.
Nearly 5,000 bamboos are being used in the structure.
