Kolkata: Jagannath Puja at Andrew Yule & Co completes 100 years, a lesson in religious tolerance

But there is more to this landmark event than meets the eye. It is the perfect example of religious tolerance and liberal outlook.

The company was founded in 1863 in Calcutta (as the city was then known as) by Andrew Yule, a young entrepreneur from Scotland.

Under Sir David Yule, by 1902, the company managed more than 30 businesses, which included Jute Mills, Cotton Mills, Tea Companies, Coal Companies, Railway Company, Printing Press and even a Zamindari Company in Midnapur District of West Bengal where it promoted agriculture, forestry, fisheries, roads, schools, hospitals and dispensaries.

It was Sir David Yule, way back in 1919, who agreed to the holding of a Jagannath Puja following requests from the large group of workers who hailed from Odisha. Jagannath is worshipped as the guardian deity in Odisha.

David Yule was the nephew of Andrew Yule and was a man of liberal ideas; he encouraged local customs and hence supported the cause.

This led to the initiation of the Puja dedicated to Lord Jagannath under the Andrew Yule Mahabharata Patha by Onkar Mal Jatia, Dhundi Mahakul, Birbhadra Parida and Bikali Charan Das who were the members of the organizing committee then.

Like every year, this year too the festival was held at the company's Kolkata-based headquarters, Yule House.

Said, Ramesh Chandra Das (President, Andrew Yule Mahabharata Patha Committee), “This year is very special one as the celebrations is in its centenary Year.”

Dipak Kumar Dey, Secretary, Andrew Yule Employees Union spoke to IBNS and said, “It is a seven day event with cultural programmes in between."

He said, “About five thousand people take part and the event is still organised by employees who hail from Odisha."

(Reporting by Sourajit Choudhury)