Durga Puja: Shopkeepers, artisans in distress due to fewer footfalls

GUWAHATI: Only a few days are left for the Durga Puja and it has been witnessed that the puja committees will only hold Ghat Puja this year following the COVID-19 protocols.

The Durga Puja Bel Boron will be observed on October 22.

Every year, the city markets are thronged by people to shop for puja however, this year due to the pandemic the footfall has significantly decreased.

The puja markets of the usually crowded Fancy Bazar wore a deserted look and the shopkeepers said they are incurring huge losses due to the pandemic.

"Our financial condition degraded during the lockdown. We are not being able to purchase puja products to sell. The footfall is also less. People are avoiding market due to the virus," said a shopkeeper.

"COVID has changed the whole scenario. It will take another year to be financially stable," another shopkeeper added.

Not only have the shopkeepers, the artisans who make idols also run out of work. An artisan from Panbazar who is making idols for many years said he has not received a single order this year.

"We are run our families by making idols. There will be no puja celebrations due to the pandemic thus the government should provide us some financial assistance," the artisan lamented.

Every year various puja committees bring artisans from other States to make idols for their pandals. But sadly this year, the citizens will only be able to witness a low-key celebration.