Speaking exclusively about what the festival means to her, Raima reflects on Maa Durga as a symbol of feminine strength and resilience. “She’s the protector, the mother, the warrior. Durga Puja celebrates womanhood in every sense. Especially in 2025, after everything we've been through as a society, it’s time we honor that strength within all women.” Her words resonate as social media fills with hashtags like #Shakti2025 and #DurgaWithinUs, where women share empowering stories across platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
Reminiscing about her childhood, Raima recalls, “At my grandmother’s house, Riya and I would dress in matching sarees, dance, eat on banana leaves, and soak in the joy. Now, I treasure my mother’s and grandmother’s sarees—they keep me connected to my roots.” In today’s digital age, the actor enjoys sharing snippets of these cherished moments with fans through festive reels and nostalgic photo dumps on Instagram.
While the spirit remains, the celebrations have evolved. “Since my grandmother passed, we’ve kept it intimate. But the essence is still there—family bonding, friends visiting from abroad, and now, global attention on Kolkata’s Puja thanks to platforms like YouTube and travel vlogs,” she notes. With #KolkataPuja2025 trending, the world is virtually participating in the grandeur.
However, 2025's celebrations also carry a note of reflection. “The recent doctor rape-murder shook the city. The vibe is subdued, but we’re not letting fear win. We celebrate to honor our culture and demand justice. Maa Durga is with us,” Raima says. As pandals light up the city and timelines overflow with Puja posts, the spirit of Shakti—resilient, fierce, and protective—leads the way this year.
