Sir — In view of festivals in general and Durga Puja in particular, one would like to appeal to the state governments, the puja organizers as well as all right-thinking citizens to understand some hard but realistic facts related to our fight against the ongoing pandemic. Unlike other countries, India — especially owing to its religious and cultural diversity — observes a large number of festivals spanning the entire year. But at this point, congregations — this is common to most festivals — are likely to pose a serious hurdle in countering the spread of the coronavirus. Even the strongest of measures will prove to be ineffective if large gatherings are allowed, especially during Durga Puja, which continues for several days. Social distancing will be impossible in effect, and norms prescribed for the containment of the pandemic will end up being violated, making the situation worse.

The foremost priority right now should be survival. People would be expected to try every possible means to this end, even at the cost of sacrificing religious sentiments and merriment.

Satyananda Bhattacherjee,
Kharagpur

Sir — Festivals have always been an important part of Indian life. But with Covid-19 hitting the country hard, alongside the lockdown, for the past six months, several problems have reared their heads, robbing people of the joy of celebrations. The country has incurred huge losses, be it in terms of education, the economy or human lives. New cases are being detected every day, especially since Unlock 4.0 was declared.

Shopping complexes, cinema halls, markets and temples have now reopened and transportation has come into effect, following guidelines — social distancing and wearing of masks being the topmost priorities. But is not the joy of celebrations largely diminished if people cannot come together to enjoy themselves and honour the day? With social gatherings being limited to 100 people at once, Durga Puja celebrations this year will surely be less grand than usual. But it should be kept in mind that mass gatherings could affect the Indian population on a large scale. This must be avoided.

Nilakshi M. Daimary,
Bongaigaon, Assam

Sir — The chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, has announced a slew of doles, including a grant of Rs 50,000 to each registered Durga Puja organizer in the state. This decision is welcome. There are reportedly around 37,000 registered organizers in Bengal. Organizing the puja this year has become a major challenge for them in the absence of advertisements and difficulties in collecting subscriptions from individual households. Banerjee’s announcements have brought some relief to artisans who are bound to have received fewer orders this year. With this financial support, the construction of puja pandals are now expected to gather pace.

However, the government has also stressed upon the need for crowd control and physical distancing. Hence, all puja committees must take proactive measures to prevent overcrowding and ensure that social distancing protocols are maintained. Durga Puja revellers should also pay attention to these rules. Controlling the spread of the virus cannot solely be the responsibility of government agencies and the puja organizers. One would also like to request the police to issue necessary festival guidelines for a safe celebration this year.

Khokan Das,
Calcutta

Sir — Durga Puja is one of the biggest festivals in India, especially in Bengal. Apart from paying homage to the goddess, the festivities include meeting friends and family and having a good time. But given the current situation, it seems that following the same traditions will be difficult this year. With just about a month to go for one of the biggest annual extravaganzas, preparations have begun, albeit on a lower scale, as organizers chalk out safety plans to avoid a further spread of Covid-19. We all must adapt to the changing circumstances for the sake of the safety of all citizens.

Nili Ghosh,
Calcutta

Hour of need

Sir — As expected, the pandemic has affected the economically weaker sections of society the worst. Even with restrictions being relaxed, most street vendors are struggling to sell their wares, in spite of great efforts. This is partly because big companies have now entered the market, pushing them further to the margins especially during the lockdown: many people now order even groceries online. Since government policies have hardly alleviated the plight of the poor, the common people should stand by them. People should buy more products from street vendors, and without haggling over the price.

Shilpa Nandi,
Calcutta