Speaking to reporters, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that she has requested UNESCO to declare Durga Puja as an ‘intangible cultural heritage of humanity and global festival’. The CM has also stated that Durga Puja 2021 will be conducted under COVID-19 restrictions similar to last year. The government has notified that the call on whether people can visit puja pandals at night is yet to be taken. The TMC government in Bengal has announced a grant of ₹50,000 to each puja committee to assist them with sponsorships.
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Durga Puja 2021 To Take Place With Norms Similar To Last Year
CM Mamata Banerjee said in a press briefing that in 2020, a series of measures were introduced to conduct Durga Puja amid COVID-19. She added that she does not think that additional measures will be needed. This year too, the state will follow protocols similar to last year. Speaking about pandal hopping at night, she said, “The decision on people visiting Durga Puja pandals at night will be taken later, depending on how the expected third wave of COVID-19 surfaces.” Also, apart from granting ₹50,000 to each puja committee for sponsorships, the government will also reduce their electricity fees by 50%, along with free licences. Last year, West Bengal had banned outsider entry at Durga Puja pandals.
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Also Read: 7 Durga Puja Pandals In West Bengal That Had Beautifully Depicted The Hard Times Of 2020
Centre Urged States To Ensure COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour During Upcoming Festive Season
This year, Nazrul Park Unnayan Samiti in Kolkata’s Baguiati is creating a Durga idol resembling CM Mamata Banerjee. The 10 hands of the idol will feature 10 schemes of the West Bengal government. Meanwhile, Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan has urged states to impose local restrictions to control mass gatherings during the upcoming festive season for celebrations like Ganesh Chaturthi and Durga Puja, as mass gatherings can turn into super-spreaders of COVID-19. Writing to the states, Bhushan stated, “I would like to reiterate that any laxity in ensuring strict adherence to the five-fold strategy of ‘Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate and Ensuring Covid-Appropriate Behaviour’, may result in losing the impetus that our country has gained so far in managing the pandemic.”