Festivals are an embodiment of respect for one’s culture, heritage and traditions through celebration. They are meant to bring the families together to enjoy special moments, instill a sense of camaraderie and help weave a close-knit community with mutual respect and appreciation. Every religion is associated with its own set of unique traditions that contribute to the diversity in terms of festivals celebrated in Indian society. Every year these festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm all across the country as people find it as a perfect excuse to make time from their hectic schedule and catch up with their loved ones. But as we all know; this year is not the same as any other year. The COVID pandemic has forced almost all the plans to go sideways, leaving people unprepared, unhinged and unequipped to deal with the situation. During these perilous times, we are all looking for an excuse to celebrate, hoping to put this entire mishap behind us. But we are all aware of the fact that we can’t afford to turn a blind eye to this situation and certain precautions are in order which may or may not cross paths with the zeal of festive celebrations this year.
Subdued Ganpati celebrations this year
We know that this year started on the wrong foot altogether, with the government imposing the official lockdown in March just after the Holi celebration. This naturally meant that the festivals were no longer a priority in the wake of this decision as social gatherings had to occupy a back seat. One of the most predominant steps taken by the government to ensure the safety of the mass population was imposing the regulation of “Social Distancing” which meant no parties, no movie hall trips, and shopping only for necessities (at that time). So, almost half the year went by with people stuck in their houses and no public appearances or celebrations. This led to the cancellation of many important events like GUDI PADWA processions in Maharashtra, RAM NAVAMI MELA in Uttar Pradesh, MAHAVIR JAYANTI processions for Jains (as temples were closed), KARAGA celebration in Bangalore, EASTER celebration for Catholics, VAISAKHI celebration for North Indians, EID-UL-FITR celebration for Muslims, GANESH CHATURTHI celebration and much more. Even today when the lockdown has been removed and many festivals like DUSSEHRA, DIWALI and CHRISTMAS, etc. are on their way, most people are reluctant to step outside in crowded places due to a threat to their health and hygiene. Thus, social distancing remains an essential aspect of our lives and continues to serve as a barrier for mass interaction.
While some people may consciously choose to walk away from the festivities for the greater good, others may find themselves preoccupied with more pressing concerns. Continuing with this thought, we can’t help but notice the corona count of the country. Even when the citizens and government are coordinating with each other and working day and night to reduce this count, we are still a long way to go. So, it is natural to believe that the families of the patients will not be celebrating any festivals this year. Also, we know that the areas in which the patients live are sealed under orders from the government, so it not only affects one person or one family but the community as a whole which is one of the most drastic ways in which this pandemic has hampered some important cultural events that represent more than just celebrations.
We are also aware of the fact that festivals are “more than meets the eye” kind of situation. It is more than just conducting significant rituals and praying for peace and success. Sometimes, they can motivate a person to travel thousands of miles to meet with their family members and quench that nostalgic thirst. Other times it can be as trivial an affair as waking up early in the morning for cleaning the entire house together as a family and then dressing up in your favourite attire for the joyous occasion. While other times it can be visiting those relatives who you may or may not have been dying to meet, but you still knock at their residence bearing gifts just because it’s a once in a year kind of deal owing to your work-life dis-balance. But there is a large possibility that we may not get to witness any of these small but significant moments this year. In fact, we may come up to a realization that these are those moments that help preserve your social life and maintain some healthy relationships.
Another vital aspect that should be taken into consideration while we are on this subject is how the local vendors and merchants, especially those who deal with festival-oriented commodities were affected by this ordeal. Well, it may not be surprising that the pandemic took a massive toll on the pockets of these class of people. Since people are prioritizing their comfort and health and not in the festive mood for this particular year, the local markets are facing scarcity in terms of customers. The general population is under the assumption that the local vendors do not follow proper hygienic practices, and so the local market is not a safe place to wander around. However, the market is gradually recovering from the hit as proper precautions, including sanitization of roads and streets is being conducted time and again under the orders of the government. So, it is safe to assume that the coming festivals will witness a better aura than the preceding ones.
However, the technological advancements are helping people to take a step forward as many people are using online platforms, apps and services to connect with their loved ones and the world. They have even started celebrating the festivals online by doing the rituals and ceremonies together whilst connected on a Zoom call. This is nothing but a testament to the fact that man is a social creature and knows no bounds.
- Shivam Arora
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