Idol makers battle raw material & labour shortage amid COVID ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi

As COVID-19 pandemic has affected ecomic activities across country with consequential lockdown as well as life-threatening risk it poses to mankind, prevailing situation is bound to affect celebration of festivals and also livelihood of many people associated with ir preparations. idol-making industry has also taken a hit due to health crisis.

Ahe of Ganesh Chaturthi festival which is celebrated with much pomp and fervour in Maharashtra as well as rest of country, idol makers say y haven't been able to make as many idols due to pandemic as y me in previous years. Due to COVID-19 health crisis, workers do t want to come to Mumbai as y are scared it will affect ir health, said Sagar, an idol maker from Mumbai.

"I make 1200 idols every year but this year I could make only 700 idols," he ded, citing short of labour.

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state government has directed idol-makers to build eco-friendly idols but makers haven't been able to build m as permission to erect mandap for idol making was t given by authorities due to pandemic. 

"y asked us to build idols at home but our houses aren't big eugh for idol making," Sagar said. 

"Besides, re is also a short of raw material due to transportation issues amid pandemic," he ded.

Durga Puja committees to conduct webinar on Covid-19 impact

Anticipating impact of pandemic, some of  Durga Puja Committees from Kolkata and London Shar Utsav are conducting a webinar in mid-July to discuss impact of Covid-19 on Durga Puja festival which is primarily held in West Bengal but also celebrated across country.

Representatives of  Durga Puja Committees from Kolkata are said to participate in webinar with London Shar Utsav to discuss impact of pandemic on people such as priests and ors during five-day festival.

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Festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi and Durga Puja celebrated alongside Navratri witness large scale garings of people coming toger to celebrate festival by erecting large pandals and organise dance or garing events. But with brunt of pandemic, festivals may be observed by devotees with fewer outdoor activities and movement. However, it remains pertinent to see how associated events and garings will be held amid pandemic.

country is witnessing an alarming surge in COVID-19 infections, making new highs every or day. total tally of infected cases stands at 6,48,315, of which 2,35,433 are active cases while country has witnessed 18,655 fatalities due to virus. However, what comes as a piece of good news is recovery rate of country is improving at a faster rate. 3,94,226 have been recovered in country so far and recovery rate has surpassed 60 percent.

(With inputs from ANI)