The theme for AE (Part 1)’s Durga puja has not been announced yet but at their khuti puja recently, the organisers hinted that it could be inspired by the pandemic.

“Context is always important to an artiste but we can choose to project it in a positive way. Without revealing the theme, we can promise that the pandal this year will be a riot of colours and be an optimistic one, despite the pandemic-stricken world around us,” said Partha Ghosh, who along with brother Siddhartha Ghosh will be the theme makers this year. They were at the helm at AE (Part 1) last year too.

Secretary of the block Supriyo Chakraborty said they had learnt enough from last October to plan out a Covid-safe puja in 2021. “We will certainly have a theme as people from far and wide wait to visit our block during the Pujas. But we shall try to create the pandal in a way that allows visitors to enjoy the artwork or seek blessings of the goddess by just driving or walking past. The budget and other details will be chalked closer to the dates,” said Chakraborty, who has recently also been appointed local ward co-ordinator. “I have added responsibility this time and will fulfil both.”

MLA and minister Sujit Bose dropped by. Other guests included ward co-ordinators Tulsi Sinha Roy, Nirmal Dutta and Ratna Bhowmick, who offered to organise a dhunuchi dance competition in the block on behalf of an organisation she runs.

The most excited were residents. “This puja is always so beautiful and I have so many friends meeting here that it’s not worth going pandal-hopping anywhere else,” said Shelly Mukherjee, who lives across the street.

“Usually we start rehearsing for plays or dances around this time but there won’t be any cultural programme due to Covid this year. Still, it makes us happy enough to meet our friends during khuti puja and Durga puja,” said Megha Gupta of Class VII.