Pandemic-hit Puja

There's little doubt that the glitter of Bengal's Puja faded during the Covid-era

In 2020, the Rio Carnival — one of the world’s biggest attractions, narrowly escaped being eclipsed by the pandemic. Rio de Janeiro, however, hasn’t hosted its Carnival this year. Consequently, nearly 25,000 jobs were not created, and the financial impact of the cancelled Rio Carnival may exceed $1.5 billion, as estimated by the National Confederation of Trade in Goods, Services and Tourism of Brazil. Certainly, the pandemic of our lifetimes has severely affected the festivities and economic contributions of various social and religious festivals. When Munich’s Oktoberfest — normally attended by around six million people — was cancelled once again,