Finolex award for safest pandal

It is not only the Durga idol or the pandals that will fetch prizes this year "" there will be awards for 'creative lighting and safety in electrical arrangements' as well, thanks to Finolex Cables, the manufacturer of electrical cables.

The company announced its Finolex Alok Suraksha Samman Awards to reward excellence in creative lighting and safety measures followed in the electrical arrangements in the pandals during the Durga Puja festival.

The awards would be given in association with Kolkata Police and CESC Ltd.

"Our objective is to promote the awareness of safe usage of electricity even for a temporary event as this 4 day festival", said G K Banerjee, vice-president (marketing) of Finolex cables.

Finolex has instituted th awards as part of its expanding brand promotion activity but with an objective of benefiting the society. The company would be holding one-day workshops to educate electricians about safe methods of wiring inside pandals.

The best performer would be awarded a prize money of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 10,000 would be given to the electrical contractor.

Beyond the best pandal, 24 electricians would be awarded Rs 2500 each for their performance. They would also be taken to the company's Electro club, where electricians would be given technical training for better and safe use of electricity.

Under this scheme, each winner would also be covered under a personal insurance scheme ranging from Rs25,000 to Rs 1,00,000. Finolex has tied up with Bajaj Allianz for this scheme.