Every year, Diwali sets the mood for cheer, the joy of giving, coming together with loved ones and celebrating life itself. The Diwali festive mood sets in much before the festival. People redecorate their homes, making plans to invite or visit family and friends and shopping for clothes, crackers, sweets, etc. This year, the pandemic has undeniably brought down the festive cheer and apprehensions about celebrating the festival of lights.
While it is necessary to keep in mind the social distancing amid the pandemic still looming large in many parts of the country, we can still celebrate Diwali with some tweaks and staying safe.
Diwali markets – The Diwali shopping has surely taken a hit this year with the plummeting COVID numbers and plunging economy. Although traders have still stocked up on Diwali goodies, the sight is surely different from the usual. There is visible Diwali buzz in the bazaars with merchandise such as lights and such, but the shopkeepers report a marked decrease in sales this year. Due to the absence of Diwali melas this year, sales are expected to increase a bit a couple of days before Diwali.
A low-key Diwali in the corporate sector - As businesses and corporates have taken a hit due to the pandemic. Many companies have slashed down on regular corporate gifting this year and on the bonus components owing to low budget allocations. Many companies have opted for a scaled-down, contactless gifting options such as e-vouchers and some have also chosen online deliveries of wi-fi improvement products to their clients and employees to aid in the work-from-home scenario.
The commercial sector – Festivals like Diwali are also catalysts for a productive business trend as customers spend on automobiles and other durables during this auspicious season. With the economy slowly recovering, sales are expected to do much better than the past few months of the lull. Automobile sales have particularly been doing well, with people more inclined towards private transportation than public.
Tweaks in celebration – While it is a given that Diwali celebrations this year will be low-key and subdued, with people not making plans to visit friends/family or socialize in usual ways, the COVID protocols need not interfere with minimalistic plans such as organizing small house parties with limited people, making video calls to the near and dear ones, also buying mithai, Diwali special snacks (and) savouries from trusted local vendors.
Many states have opted to celebrate a cracker-less Diwali this year owing to the inconvenience/danger it may pose to the already existing breathing difficulties brought in by the pandemic. Cracker-free Diwali is also a decision taken by many individual communities, irrespective of whether it is a decision taken by the state or not.
The entertainment industry – With cinema halls remaining closed in most cities, most entertainment and movie releases are still happening on OTT platforms. Even in cities where cinema halls are open, the big production houses have shown an unwillingness to release the movies due to the risks involved. That is surely a major dampener this Diwali with no huge movie releases and first-day-first-show thrills for movie lovers.
A ray of hope – Amidst all the low-key protocols which are expected to be followed this Diwali, sales of earthen diyas have been doing well this season and are expected to stay so in days until Diwali. Even during Ganesh Chaturthi and Durga puja, sales of idols and other seasonal merchandise did not see a huge dip. Lighting diyas and promoting handmade gifts this season can be a good boost to the local vendors and artisans.
Precautions to celebrate a safe Diwali
