NO
Always about extravagance
I cannot fully agree with the statement. Culture is not a constant thing and cultural traditions cannot be definite. Take, for example, the Durga Pujas started by zamindars. Durga’s idol would be adorned with heavy, gold jewellery. There would be rivalry between the zamindars on who could splurge more, and were considered a splurge by the common people even then. So, extravagance has been part of festivities for long. What is considered splurge today might be considered cultural tradition some decades later.
Shruti Laha, Class XI, D.A.V. Model School, Durgapur
Provide employment
Nowadays, people are stressed at their workplaces, students are stressed about studies. Festivals act like medicine for such stressful events. Moreover, many poor and unemployed people get some work due to the festivals. A festive season is supposed to bring a smile to every face, so it is okay to spend money on something that brings the smiles. And cultural traditions are maintained along with a sprinkle of modernism.
Shreyasee Dutta, First year, St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta
Warm gatherings foster bonds
On the outside, festivals today might seem to be more about splurge than traditions, a deeper look will reveal a different thing. They are about warm gatherings and get-togethers, upholding traditional values and happy memories thereafter. Thus, they sustain societies, making bonds stronger.
Smiti Wal Sen,B.Ed., Loreto College, Calcutta
Bring people together
Festivals are always meant to be a tryst or an act of uniting different types of people. They act as stress relievers. They also provide an opportunity to reduce friction and bring estranged friends and relatives together. Nothing brings people together like festivals do. Festivals are a way to celebrate glorious heritage, culture and traditions. It has always been that.
Pragati Khan,
Second year, Asutosh College, Calcutta
YES
No time for bodhon
Durga Puja, Diwali, Navratri, Id, Christmas, all provide us with the opportunity to splurge, egged on by bumper sales, jaw-dropping discounts and other offers. Earlier, pandals were simple, not theme oriented. Now, the organisers compete and spend more on pandals and festivities rather than paying attention to rituals. During Durga Puja, the faces of the idols are supposed to be covered till bodhon on Sashthi. But now they can be seen from Tritiya or Chaturthi itself! Immersion too does not happen on Dashami.
Riddhi Deb, First year, The Future Institute of Engineering and Management, Calcutta
Click-happy
The youth today have little or no idea about what a festival is all about, why a particular festival is celebrated. More so because they are so engrossed in capturing the moments on camera rather than being part of any of the rituals. They are unaware of the cultural traditions and that these should be imbibed as festivals are not merely about splurging.
Hiya Agarwala, Class XII, Mahadevi Birla World Academy, Calcutta
About showing off
I totally agree. Nowadays, festivals seem more like a competition. It is about who can spend more money. People want to show off their standard of living and want to be better than others. Before a festival, they start shopping for clothes, accessories, house decor and so on, even if all those things are not needed. They have forgotten to come together and celebrate the traditions.
Krisha Mittal, Class IX, The Heritage School, Calcutta
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