In the kaleidoscope of Kolkata’s Durga Puja, where lights, colours, and chants of “Bolo Durga Mai Ki Jai” fill the air, one man stands as a symbol of harmony and inclusivity-Gulam Ashraf, Managing Director of Phonex Group of Companies. At a time when communities often struggle to rise above religious divides, Ashraf, a devout Muslim, has been at the forefront of organizing the Phonex 74 Palli Sarbojanin Durgotsav Puja Pandal, one of the city’s most vibrant celebrations of Maa Durga.

For Ashraf, the festival is not just about grandeur and spectacle. Year after year, he immerses himself in the rituals, walking hand-in-hand with priests, devotees, and artisans, ensuring that every detail of the puja is a reflection of Bengal’s spiritual essence. His involvement is personal, heartfelt, and deeply symbolic.