CELEBRATIONS WITH A DIFFERENCE

 DIFFERENT "CELEBRATIONS"

The word "CELEBRATIONS" indicates a special, enjoyable event that people organise because something pleasant has happened or to mark joyous events through praise and appreciation!
In this year of mass destruction and huge devastation due to the Covid 19 pandemic,along with other natural calamities, we have all, irrespective of class, creed, colour and background , been helpless witnesses to the loss of innumerable lives,jobs,homes,sources of income and generally the "normal" world order we were familiar with.
In this situation, can anyone honestly justify any reason to ''celebrate'' in a mass scale ? Is there any joy in anybody's heart?
Before I am labelled as negative and a pessimist, let me mention that we are all waiting with hope filled hearts to welcome a "normal" covid free world, which I am definite is around the corner.
For that to happen soon, we need to continue acting in a patient, sensible, wise and responsible manner irrespective of the much awaited arrival of Bengal's favourite daughter Uma to her parental home.
Durga Puja is an emotion for Bengalis the world over. The tinge of sadness at not being able to enjoy and flow in the joyous festivities on these four days, is there in every Bengali heart, including mine.
Yet whenever the thought of the pomp, dazzling lights, incredible pandal decor, joyous crowds in new clothes and accessories come to mind, the accompanying thoughts of people who have lost their loved ones, jobs and financial securities, the sufferings of Mother Earth and the tireless efforts of our frontline Covid warriors loom large and obliterate the desire of any form of "celebrations".
With the Pujas landing in the middle of the global pandemic, the need for us to balance medical advice around health and safety poses unique challenges.
Let us rise to the occasion and "celebrate" by community help in whatever small way we can for whosoever is in need of it.
The funds spent on theme pandal, fancy lightings, advertisement hoardings, sponsorships ( Government & private), community collections etc, could have been distributed amongst those labourers, decorators, artists, dhakis and scores of other lives which are dependent on this grand annual event for their main income.
Would that "celebration" be any less? Think not!
Am confident that Durga Durgatinashini, who ends all evil will not mind AT ALL if she sees this happening instead of unnecessary,avoidable and superficial expenditure, at a time like this.
Her blessings on her earthly devotees will increase manifold if she sees each one of us take care of the needy, become more sensitive especially towards the covid warriors, durgas and the elderly in our homes and communities. The greatest "anjali" (offering) to her will be us internalising the life lessons Covid has taught us and manifesting them in creating a better, peaceful, healthy world for our children. Prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving for all that we have while many dont, will reach her faster than the rituals in the pandals.
So let us join hands to "celebrate" the Pujas with a difference this year; beautify our homes, cook traditional food, maintain spiritual and virtual connection with others while maintaining physical distance. Let us do this so as not to overburden an already fragile health system. Do spare a thought for the Doctors, nurses, care givers,police and all others fighting in the frontline continuously for almost eight months now.Let us not bring on a tsunami of fresh cases by acting in a bizarre, selfish, irresponsible manner by crowding the roads and pandals of the city.
Let us look forward to "celebrate" the victory over Covid19 and am sure 'ASCHE BOCHOR ABAR NISCHOI HOBE' 

#durgapuja

#pujaduringcovid

#pandemicpuja

#letsbesensible

#