Baripada (Mayurbhanj): In the small village of Tentuldinga in Odisha, a unique story of communal harmony unfolds every year during Durga Puja. For the past 40 years, a Muslim man named Kohinoor Islam has been at the forefront of organising the Hindu festival, bringing together people of different faiths in a spirit of unity and mutual respect.

Kohinoor Islam (76) started the village’s own Durga Puja in 1985. Before that, many women from Tentuldinga and nearby villages had to walk long distances to Baripada town to participate in the celebrations and rituals like ‘Sindoor Khela’ and ‘Sandhi Puja.’ Observing this hardship, Kohinoor suggested holding a local festival to make it easier for the villagers.

“I asked the people of the village if they wanted to start our own ‘Sarbajanina Durga P

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