Amid Covid, Siliguri in Kali Puja mood

It will, be extremely difficult form any people in our locality to avoid parties and get-togethers during Diwali this year. The spirit of "pandal-hop till you drop," remains the credo of many people in north Bengal despite repeated warnings from experts and in the face of a scourge.

PARAG BISWAS, SNS, SILIGURI, 7 NOVEMBER 2020: Just weeks after India fully opened up from a harsh lock-down and began to modestly turn a corner by cutting new comnavirus infections by a near half, the rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in Darjeeling district since October 28 is raising fears that a fresh surge could spoil the hard-won gains in north Bengal as in other parts of the country, particularly since most people in the region seem in no mood to follow the guidelines laid down by the government and the ban imposed by t he Calcutta  High Court on the sale and use of firecrackers on Kali Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja in the state in view of the pandemic.

The twin festivals of Kali Puja and Diwali are just a weekaway, and even when the fear of coronavirus lurks due to the sudden spike in the number of cases from 59 to 156 in Darjeeling district, and from 26 to 106 in Siliguri, during the period between October 28 and November 5, most residents of the district are in no mood to maintain social distancing during the festival of lights.

"Splurging and socializing are the defining hallmarks of Diwali. It is a festival of bonding and shared joy. It is a time to come together, even if momentarily. It will, therefore, be extremely difficult form any people in our locality to avoid parties and get-togethers during Diwali this year," said Vinay Jalan, a resident of Khalpara in Siliguri, who has multiple invitations to card parties, which may force him to hop around town.

Sanjay Gupta of Punjabipara, who shared Mr Jalan's sentiments, said playing the game of 'teen Patti' (three aces), which is similar to poker, was as much a part of Diwali traditions as lighting earthen lamps and exchanging gifts. "Some play poker with token small stakes. Other serious gainers have skin in high stakes games," he said.

The 34-year-old marketing executive said he was trying to beat the gloom of the pandemic by organising a small Diwali cards party at his apartment.

Like parties, bursting crackers and pandal-hopping are also key parts of Diwali and Kali Puja, and as during the Durga Puja, the spirit of "pandal-hop till you drop," remains the credo of many people in north Bengal despite repeated warnings from experts and in the face of a scourge.

It would seem like a lot of headache for one party or pandal hopping in this pandemic situation, but the residents of the region, fed-up with staying indoors, are trying to retain a semblance of celebratory spirit around the festive season.

"A dull consumer sentiment, a raging pandemic and an overall economic gloom have taken away the sheen from the festive season for a lot of Indians. In this scenario, bursting crackers and pandal-hopping are the last casualties, but one that pinches ordinary people like us a fair bit," said Rajat Chakraborty, a 53-year-old resident of Shivmandir.

Sikha Barman, a 42-year old resident of Ranidanga, who agreed with Rajat, said they were planning to take all possible precautions to avoid infections but would celebrate Diwali and Chhat with the usual pomp and grandeur this year. "Honestly, the actual Durga Puja and Kali Puja festivities and traditions are very short. It's the joy of the season, stepping out to your friends' and relatives homes, exchanging sweets, bursting crackers, hopping around pandals, even being stuck in traffic that defines the festive season for us. We can't afford to miss them," she said.

The pandemic and related lockdowns have not only taken away the sheen from the lives of the common masses. It has also hit businesses severely and the traders and businessmen are charged up to compensate with some rush hours to boost sales. Local artisans and crafts people, who were badly hit by the lockdowns, are also looking forward to reviving their business during the forthcoming festivals.

"Diwali and Dhanteras not only usher in festivities, but are also catalysts for a productive business season. The sale of consumer durables and automobiles peaks around this auspicious time. We are banking on it even this time," said the owner of a consumer durable showroom on Sevoke Road in Siliguri, which is offering handsome discounts.

Most owners of sweet shops in Siliguri said their sales have improved since the Navratris. "While festivities are low key, we are hoping that people spend. The recent green shoots of economic recovery give confidence that while subdued, it should be pushed further by the festive season," said Dipak Agarwal, the owner of a sweet shop in Khalpara.