The economic slowdown due to the pandemic has forced Durga puja organisers to scale down celebrations due to a lack of sponsorship.
Not just small ones, the bigger ones have also curtailed their budget by nearly 30% to 50%, mostly compromising on decor, showcasing of themes, and flamboyance too.
From reducing the size of the idols to less extracurricular expenditure which ranges from dhakis, offerings, stalls, games, cultural activities, or even as little as hammocks or giant wheels in the vicinity, everything has been scaled down than past years.
Ketan Thakkar, Assistant Secretary, Abasar Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity said, “It has impacted everyone. Not only the private companies but organisers have also been impacted by this. It is not possible to organise big puja if organisers didn’t get money from the advertisement. This year the advertisement has cut down. Puja committees also cut down the rates. Less amount of advertisement came this year. Simultaneously, the amount has also gone down. There was a big hit when we came to know that the High Court restricted the visitors. The mandaps were made up in such a way that it is visible but it needs more clarity. Private companies are going to be affected a lot.”
On average, setting up a theme-based pandal for the five-day fiesta, replete with safety arrangements and basic amenities, costs anything between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 30 crore in Bengal depending on the size and stature of pandals.
“The situation which we faced this year, we were expecting some vaccine. No one knew that it will take such long, now no one knows when it is going to end. It is very difficult to focus on anything even for the next year,” Ketan added.
Organisers have made several modifications this year, mostly cutting down on promotional activities.
Madan Mitra, former minister and senior TMC leader said, “Fortunately and incidentally, I am associated with 300 Durga puja committees. Durga puja is not an industry. But it’s a matter of fact that no less than Rs 15,000-20,000 crore of money people get through their hard work during the puja. The poor and distress, throughout the year, wait for puja so that they can earn something. This is very unfortunate on part of Bengal that though being the biggest festival in the country and number one festival of the east, the Centre just didn’t pay any heed towards it. The only slogan, shouting and politics. Very unfortunate. If Mamata Banerjee would not give Rs. 50,000 to each of the committees, this pandal would not be possible because we are not taking any donation. No collection is being done. You can ask our sponsors, all sponsors become digital & virtual. PM Modi, I just want to remind you, don’t forget that Bengal too has 10 crore people, don’t ignore us like this.”
The situation has gone worse for small-budget Durga pujas committees, with some of the organisers opting for a marquee without any distinct theme.
According to advertising agencies, weak consumer sentiment is also one of the reasons for lack of sponsorship.
“So far this puja is a concern, this is not a very big budget puja. But it was a puja of Rs 15-20 lakh. This year even the members are not in a position to collect Rs 2 lakh. Once again I must say that salute to Mamata Banerjee Government that Rs. 50,000 made it possible to purchase the idol of Maa Durga,” Mitra added.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) leadership, however, blamed its arch-rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the economic slowdown in the country.
Kolkata Mayor and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim expressed, “Many people lost their job, many don’t have money to buy food. Expecting sponsors in this tough time is not a good idea. Somehow organisers managed to make the pandal as we can’t restrict ourselves from celebrating the puja. It is good that people stayed indoors amid Covid-19. The sale circle during puja has hit the most. As you know that this is a circle of Rs 1 lakh crore during puja. The economic cycle of Bengal is depended on this. If you compare the economic status of Bengal with the country, it is way better than the national.”
The local artisans who used to come from districts are also not there and with trains not operational there has not been much footfall from districts also.
“It is very unfortunate that our PM is nothing but a leader of a particular party. He thought about Durga Puja as for the upcoming election in 2021. It’s been 7 years since he has been there holding the PM post but never thought about Durga Puja. Whatever he said was not correct. If he cares about Bengal then he must give Rs 53,000 crores which we are asking for. His fight is not with Mamata Banerjee but he has to face the people and their development in Bengal. It is not like that if BJP will be in power then only we will get the facility from the central government. The people of Bengal are paying the tax. This money not anyone else’s but it is the money of the people of Bengal. He was talking about the security of women, then he must go through the UP government after Hathras case”, Kolkata Mayor and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim said.
Atul Dalmia, CMD of A group, a local advertising company shared, “World is facing an economic slowdown. The advertising budget has been cut outdoors. Whatever we are earning is through digital media. Outdoor holding and puja gate were large in number but this year it has been cut down to 15%. It is a direct dropdown of 80%. People who used advertising, too are forced to cut the price. Selling is also down. PM Modi is saying that the vaccine will be available soon. The condition of the market will be the same unless and until we get the vaccine. We are expecting a better condition from January-February.”
Now, with Calcutta High Court restricting the entry into pandals to ensure Covid -9 pandemic is curbed, the worst hit has been the economy of Durga Puja.