DURGA PUJA: CITY ORGANISERS STRESS ON HEALTH OF DEVOTEES
Durga Puja organisers in city agree that virtual revelries aren’t the same as absorbing the fervour in person, but they are looking ahead
With Covid-19 uncertainties still looming large and restrictions beginning to be eased, Mumbai’s Durga Puja organisers have decided to keep celebrations low-key. Last year, too, Bengalis had to celebrate their most important festival virtually, without much pomp.
Bombay Durga Bari Samiti, one of the oldest organisers in the city, plans to celebrate the festival while being kind to our environment. “We have been celebrating Durga Puja in an environment-friendly way, and hope to continue doing the same in the years to come. The puja upholds the victory of good over evil and one of the greatest challenges we’re facing today is the pandemic; the threat to our surroundings is now greater than ever,” says Mitali Poddar, chairperson of the social and cultural committee, Bombay Durga Bari Samiti.
Poddar adds that virtual celebrations ensure “the safety of the devotees”. “With heavy hearts, we have decided to forgo traditional revelries and honour Maa Durga with a simple ghat (kalash) pujo, which we will stream on social media platforms. People are dissatisfied, but given the situation, nothing else could have been done,” she shares.
Susmita Mitra, president, Bombay Durga Bari Samiti, says that while virtual pujas just aren’t the same as physically being present at a mandap and absorbing the atmosphere, people are smart enough to understand that this is being done for their safety. “Being part of rituals from the safety of one’s home is also a way to keep the festive fervour alive,” she adds.
The North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti, too, is going virtual this year. Just like other organisers, the health of devotees is the chief reason for their decision. Debu Mukherjee, veteran actor and organiser of the puja, shares, “This is the second year we are organising Durga Puja virtually. We have to maintain social distancing and wear masks whenever in public. That is why we aren’t allowing too many people to crowd. Only members will be physically present. Even members have been allotted specific time slots to visit the pandal.”
Keeping in sync with the general decision of citybased high-profile samitis, the Bengal Club of Shivaji Park, too, will humbly celebrate Durga Puja. They have decided to do away with public gatherings to avoid overcrowding and chances of contracting the virus. Rituals will be held in their clubhouse.