Kolkata prepares for scaled-down Durga puja amid Covid-19 disruptions

The puja spirit that Covid-19 couldn't crush has been dealt a blow by the court ruling, and the crowds have since thinned

“The buffet table has been laid and people are hungry. The challenge will be in keeping them from getting to the food,” said the organiser of a prominent puja in South Kolkata. Going by the footfall so far, his fears may seem unfounded, though.

Perhaps the organiser was going by the queue, which stretched some 100 metres, in front of his pandal on Sunday. The decoration, the theme — all significantly toned down from last year — were still getting finishing touches. But some over-enthusiastic visitors kept pleading for a glimpse of the preparations. Finally, the lights had to be switched