THE PUJA DAMPENER

The famed 'puja spirit' that takes hold of Bengal each August, rising in a crescendo till the four-day Durga Puja festivities in October and lingering on till Diwali, has been muted this year.

- Arkamoy Datta Majumdar

Social psychology, naturally, affects business. The state's puja economy is estimated to have touched Rs 50,000 crore last year, with retail business alone-apparel, footwear, home appliances, furnishing, gadgets, publishing et al-accounting for Rs 33,000 crore.The shopping frenzy these figures signify stands replaced by a wholly uncharacteristic tepidity, born of the sombre mood that has engulfed the state through the prolonged protests over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. It was this backdrop that led to a wave of indignation when chief minister Mamata Banerjee asked protesters to "return to festivities" on September 9 at a televised meeting. The apathetic, pensive air is most apparent in Kolkata, the hub of spontaneous protests. Sales have been considerably down in each of the three big shopping areas of the city-Gariahat, New Market and Hatibagan-ahead of the October 9-12 Puja calendar. The prevailing mood of introspection that led to a social media and street campaign calling people to curb their festivities has affected the puja economy on which many livelihoods depend.