Kolkata is gearing up for Durga Puja, and several puja pandals are set to celebrate and highlight Bengali language and culture. One notable pandal, Chaltabagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja Committee, has chosen "Ami Banglay Bolchhi" (I am speaking in Bengali) as its theme for the 81st year. The pandal will showcase the evolution, history, and development of the Bengali language over the decades.

The Chaltabagan Sarbojanin pandal is divided into four parts, each depicting a different aspect of the Bengali language. The first section illustrates the evolution of the language, tracing its roots from the Indo-Aryan language to its colloquial form in Magadh, influenced by Sanskrit and Pali. The second part focuses on the 1952 Bengali Language Movement in East Pakistan, which led to February 21 being recognized as International Mother Language Day. The third section evokes nostalgia by taking visitors back to their childhood, highlighting "Barnaparichoy" by Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and "Sahaj Path" by Rabindranath Tagore, which were instrumental in teaching Bengali to children. The fourth part depicts Ma Durga teaching her children. The pandal is located near the house of Dwijendralal Roy, and a half-bust statue of the poet will be installed inside.

Other puja committees are also focusing on themes that highlight Bengali heritage, the plight of migrant workers, and the cultural and historical contributions of prominent Bengalis. Several committees are addressing the "harassment" of migrant workers for speaking Bengali. The Baguiati Ashwininagar Bandhumahal will trace Bengal's history back to human existence in the delta 42,000 years ago, with installations of Rabindranath Tagore, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Behala's Adarshapally Club has chosen the plight of Bengali refugees during Partition as its theme, focusing on filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak's works. The Dum Dum Road Hanuman Mandir Jayashree Club will focus on the alleged illegal deportation of Bengali speakers to Bangladesh and the denial of their basic rights.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has inaugurated the Durga Puja pandal season, marking the 100th year of the Tala Prattoy Durga Puja, which has "Beej Angan" (seeds in the courtyard) as its theme. The Chief Minister has expressed concern over the declining respect for Bengali songs and emphasized the importance of unity among people of different origins. She is set to inaugurate over 3,000 pandals across the state in the days leading up to the festival.