Residential complexes across the city are divided on how to celebrate Durga Puja amid the Covid-19 pandemic: to have idols like every year or just a ceremonial ghot. And what about cultural programmes that almost every complex organises on Puja evenings?
As health authorities have advised against gatherings to prevent infection, WhatsApp has emerged as the platform of choice for residents to discuss and debate on how big or small Puja should be this year.
WhatsApp groups of many residential complexes are simmering with ideas and counter-ideas on whether it would be prudent to organise just a ghot Puja (worshipping an earthen pot) and how safe it would be to go ahead with cultural programmes and community lunch.
“Some residents have suggested that we only perform ghot Puja. But most are in favour of traditional idol worship. We have already placed an order for the idols,” said a resident of Upohar — the Condoville, off EM Bypass.
Residents at Sanjeeva Town Bungalows and Duplex in New Town are divided on how to organise community lunch this year. Rajoshi Gupta, who lives in the complex, said a section of the residents wanted food to be served in boxes that could be taken home. Others are lobbying for food to be served outside the pandal like previous years.
Some New Town complexes such as Rosedale Garden, however, have decided to do away with community lunch.
In the absence of any guidelines from the administration on the Durga Puja celebrations inside housing complexes, most residents’ welfare associations Metro spoke to are still struggling to strike a balance between tradition and safety.
The associations of some big housing complexes expressed helplessness, saying they were struggling their way through a multitude of opposing views to a decision acceptable to all.
Recently, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at Urbana, off the Bypass, attracted protests and criticisms from many residents. “There was a lot of hue and cry on the way Ganesh Puja was organised. Some residents wanted to celebrate, others did not. As for Durga Puja, we are still undecided on whether to organise cultural events. Most probably we will try live streaming of performances,” said a member of the residents’ welfare association of Urbana.
The housing complex has already placed an order for the Puja idols, which will be worshipped in a 10,000sq ft space inside the complex.
“We will have to prepare a protocol. Everyone is suggesting that we reduce the scale of celebrations,” another resident said.
South City is likely to organise their Durga Puja meeting on a virtual platform on Tuesday. Sources said that although nothing had yet been decided on whether to organise cultural events, several residents have started rehearsing at home.
The residents’ welfare association of Avishikta-I, on the Bypass, has declared there would be no cultural events this year. “A resident has donated the idols’ price. So, we have placed an order for the idols. Nothing else has been finalised. But there will be no cultural programme this year,” said a member of the residents’ welfare association of Avishikta-I.
Sherwood Estate in Narendrapur has formed a committee for all pujas, from Ganesh Puja till next year’s Saraswati Puja.
The residents’ welfare association had invited participation from residents to organise the events.
“Those who wish to participate and work for the Puja preparations have volunteered. There is no compulsion,” said a resident of Sherwood Estate.