The Saraswati puja at IC Block drew more crowds than last year. “Devotees came from IB Block, Mahabir Vikas and other blocks too. Halfway through, we realised we would fall short of prasad and had to send volunteers to buy fruits afresh,” said Bikash Kumar Singh, one youths organising the puja.

The pandal resembled a mountain — brown and lifeless but with faint greenery visible at the edges. “It symbolises the way life is gradually returning to normal after a dry spell under Covid-19,” said Singh.

While the pandal clearly mentioned that those without masks would not be allowed in, many walked in unshielded anyway. “They reasoned that lakhs of people were attending political rallies without masks and so it wasn’t a worry anymore.” So the organisers started distributing free masks and sanitiser pouches at the sit-and-draw contest held for children. “We also denied entry to participants at the phuchka-eating contest without masks and that rule worked rather well,” he said.

Much of the cultural programmes were called off so the sound would not distract students studying for examinations. Anjali was held but participants were asked to get their own flowers.

Jal Vayu Vihar in Salt Lake’s Sector III held a Saraswati puja at their community hall. “To avoid crowding, we allowed only 12 people per batch during the anjali and sent packed bhog to all homes in our complex,” said Bijoy Narayan Chaudhuri, vice president of the board of the co-operative housing society.

Students of Bidhannagar Government High School in BD Block pleaded with the authorities to let them hold Saraswati puja and the latter relented. “But to keep crowds at bay we cancelled anjali,” said Chaiti Banerjee, life science teacher who was one of five people at the venue at 11.30am. “The puja will be conducted as per norms, by an ex-student in fact.” Two former students had come for anjali but left disappointed. “We are first year college students and since we’ve not had face-to-face classes yet, we are more attached to our school. We were hoping to meet friends and teachers today but there is hardly anyone here,” said Sagnik Ash, a resident of Shymali Abasan.

The Saraswati idol at the Salt Lake BE Block Nagarik Sangha puja had the 108 names of the goddess printed on a backdrop. The names were given in Bengali and English along with the meanings of the names. “The intention was to educate the next generation,” said Narottam Dutta, secretary. So Mahabhadra is explained as the goddess who is supremely auspicious and Pustakadhruta as the goddess who is holding a book. Held in the community hall, the budget of the puja in its 17th year was less than that in previous years but they still went ahead with free community lunch, where about 160 people joined in for khichudi, labra, beguni, kuler chutney, papad and payesh. Another Saraswati puja was also held in the block this year, organised by a BE (East) committee.

The members of Swapnobhor and Snehodiya organised puja at the senior citizens’ club. The priest came all the from Midnapore. Unlike Durga puja, when only fruits were offered, bhog was cooked with members preparing a dish each at home. A cultural show was held in the evening.