Residents of New Town’s biggest housing complex will get to enjoy a laser show on the night of the festival of lights. A 45-minute show high on technology and visual delight has been planned on Kali puja night on the premises from 8.30pm.

“We used to have a half-hour fireworks show every year. But in view of the Covid situation and the high court order, we had to rule that out. Instead, we have arranged with a city-based company to present a laser show,” said joint secretary of the Uniworld City Cultural Association Pradipta Dutta. The cost will be almost double that of the fireworks display.

Residents draw rangoli at Uniworld City campus Telegraph Picture

Covid has also claimed another of their popular customs — an inter-tower rangoli contest. “Residents used to draw rangoli in front of their respective towers and we had a contest based on that. But that too has been ruled out to prevent a gathering,” Dutta said.

The alternative has been spectacular. Professional artistes have been asked to draw alpona all along the sides of the 60ft street inside the complex. Residents, aged three to 60 years, are enthusiastically filling in the designs with rangoli in accordance with the colour schemes suggested by the artistes.

On Saturday, a tribute has been planned to those who have lost the battle to Covid-19. About 1,300 lamps will be lit in their memory.