Greetings of Durga Pujas!

This year’s puja festival is turning out to be wonderful, especially after last year’s dreary one. This time, many of us have been vaccinated against COVID19.

But we must not let down our guard. We must continue to wear masks —proper ones that cover our nose, mouth, and chin. In public, we must maintain a physical distance of two meters or six feet from others.

Last year, we recommended that you celebrate Durga Puja at home. This year, we are urging you to celebrate with caution. Please be responsible at all times. Not just for yourself, but for others as well.

My heartfelt gratitude to all doctors, nurses, public health professionals, frontline staff and government officials for the unprecedented number of people vaccinated. But let us not forget that the country continues to record COVID-19 positive patients daily. Being completely oblivious to reality will be a tragic mistake.

The threat of the third wave looms big. The reality cannot be ignored.

Coronavirus is constantly mutating, producing numerous variations such as alpha, beta, gamma, delta. Vaccination will assist us in either avoiding infection or dealing with the symptoms of infection. However, the vaccination is effective only against existing viral mutations. We never know which mutant awaits us. The mutations can only be halted if we don’t leave any room for chance and stick to the protocols.

Let us also remind ourselves that there are children and teens under the age of 18 who are yet to be vaccinated. They remain vulnerable to the lethal Coronavirus. As a result, we must continue to adhere to safety precautions. The second wave’s onslaught has left many people bereaved and scarred. Those gloomy days should not return at any cost, especially not for any callous attitude during the festivals.

Amidst the revelry, many are fighting the infection. Let us also be compassionate. One of the most humanitarian aspects of Indian festivities is inclusiveness. Make sure that our neighbours or near and dear ones who cannot attend the celebration are included in the pleasant moments while keeping a safe distance.

The social gap is physical rather than mental. The distance is of the bodies, not the heart. If your neighbour is isolated, be mindful of their needs and their hearts. Help them with the required necessities. Food occupies a big part of the celebration. Share the joy with them.

Durga Puja and Dussehra are about more than just good triumphing over evil. It also has to do with harmony and oneness. Mahisashur was defeated by the combined force of Devi Durga’s manifestations. In the victory against Lanka, the heaven, human, and animal realms came together. Hence, let us be unified in the spirit of festivities and our action against the pandemic.

Maa Durga will leave on a palanquin. The Goddess’s departure on a palanquin is widely thought to prophesy an imminent disease or epidemic. This time, I am hoping that it takes the pandemic with it.

As a last reminder, this is the second time we celebrate the grand festivals in the pandemic. We all are aware of what to do and what not. Last time we might have left some lacuna. And we learnt of its outcome.

So, this time let’s put those learnings into action. Make sure that we enjoy ourselves responsibly and safely.