In Darjeeling, a Durga Puja pandal has a message for everyone. This year's pandal theme is ¡®Healthy hills, drugs-free hills¡¯, and was chosen by the Chowrasta Durga Puja Committee to raise awareness on healthy eating and substance abuse.?
The puja was inaugurated virtually by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.
The puja committee has also set up booths for free counseling on substance abuse and mental health.
¡°We have been holding this puja for the past four years. We have put up booths here that will work to raise awareness along with counseling," Suman Lakhandri, the president of the puja committee, told News18.
India is witnessing a surge around the discussion on mental health and substance abuse, and a pandal theme around it is being applauded as a great way to send a message to the masses, and normalise mental health issues.