Facade of festival economy in the pandemic

Amit Saha

(The author is an Assistant Professor of Commerce in Assam Don Bosco University and can be contacted at amitsahaghy@gmail.com)

Festivals are not just harbinger of happiness but are also a means of better livelihood to millions of people. In our country where a huge section of the population is proudly engaged in the unorganized seasonal business, festivals are their only source of appropriate regular income throughout the year. Thousands throng out of their houses putting into circulation more than ten times the money ordinarily spent among itinerants and small traders. Based on a report of ASSOCHAM published in 2013, the estimated size of the Durga Puja Industry was Rs. 25,000 crore with an estimated Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 35%. It also included that Lord Ganesha Festival generated business worth Rs. 20,000 crore with a CAGR of 20%. At such a rate the estimated size of Durga Puja Industry could be Rs. 2 lakh crore in 2020. But those are mere statistics and the reality today is that the entire country is under the grip of an unending pandemic and festivals are out of lives of the people. Unemployment, shut-down and pay-cuts have so terribly affected the people that the present festival hardly brings any hope rather breeds fear in the mind. The fear is not just about the safety, the fear is also about crushing the hope of children and family with empty pockets.

Durga Puja is undoubtedly one of the biggest festivals in India. It is celebrated with pomp and grandeur all across the country predominantly in the eastern region. At the same time, Navaratri is also celebrated which is followed by Diwali. The advent of autumn in India brings in a season of festivity which also boosts the economy. Durga Puja alone provides employment to millions of people for at least six months in a year on various sectors both primary and ancillary and thus the pandemic has hit its hardest when it has successfully faded the glaring spark of the festival economy.

The first in the chain are the idol makers whose principal source of income is the Durga idols which fetches them a significant margin as the Durga idols are comparatively much larger in size. With several preventive measures imposed for conducting Durga Puja many committees have decided to call off their celebration this year while some other have decided to proceed with small sized idols. This has subsequently affected the pandal decorators too. Durga Puja is a cultural extravaganza rather than a mere religious festival. Artists, craftsmen, decorators and technicians are all engaged in building up makeshift structures to worship the Goddess. These makeshift structures provide work to millions of people who otherwise remain in disguised unemployment throughout the year. To many, this festival is the source of income to feed a year. These constructions of makeshift structures take two to six months and throughout this period it brings in good business to all the food stalls in the vicinity of the pandals. The workers engaged in work relish their hunger in the nearby joints which generates a significant amount of revenue for those eateries. Not only that, they also start selling different food items during the days of the festival offering the pandal hoppers with many options to satiate their taste buds. These additional food items require more labour and thus it provides employment to many other people. But with the pandemic looming overhead, there is a slim chance for any positive business prospects this year.

Tourism which was already badly affected by these restrictions and lockdowns has further slumped in this festival season. The festival holidays are an opportunity to many for a trip to new places within and outside the country which is hardly an option at present. Travel agents, drivers and tourist guides are losing the business of a year and they would have to wait for another year to recover their losses. Small businesses will find it very difficult to survive until the next year and may shut down. Finally the most important sector is the huge apparel and ornament industry which is facing a hard time staying afloat. Festivals are moments of joy with family and friends. But with the economy already lurking on the verge of collapse with high unemployment and pay-cuts there is no happiness in the air. Very less number of people is seen thronging the markets for shopping. Shops dealing in apparel could generate a significant amount of their revenue during this season which is already down due to the pandemic. With less and lesser people planning to move out celebrating the festival, the different restaurants and eateries are also going to have an axe on their revenue. In additions to that, the hundreds of hawkers in the fair around the Durga Puja pandal will be nowhere. Their hope of some additional income is shattered by the unknown enemy. From idol makers to decorators to itinerant and large size retailers, this festival is only a season of fading hope and struggle for survival. Apart from businesses, the service sector is also badly hurt. Further, there is a high amount of fear in the minds of the people and thus they are hesitant to spend and are adopting a precautionary motive towards money.

So, in the post festival period, the gap between expectations and reality might be too large for the people to handle. Investments might go frenzy with lots of uncertainties in government restrictions as well as people's behaviour. The economy needs the festival for a million people to survive until the next year but at the same time the situation does not permit the celebration. Amidst this confusion it is very difficult to make a final call but the onus is on the people and not the government to maintain a balance. Every citizen must take the moral responsibility to maintain the precautionary measure and direct others to follow it too. Thronging the pandals can be avoided if the streets are well lit and people have a much larger area to spread out and celebrate or vehicles can be prohibited during the days of festival so that the people remain restricted with a particular area. Consensus must be formed in the minds to people to face adversities with a little compromise.