Kolkata: Durga Puja committees in West Bengal are gearing up to celebrate the yearly bonanza of the Bengalis maintaining all the Covid safety protocols. As a part of this, the  committees in Kolkata have decided to vaccinate all those who are involved in the rituals and other related works in the next three months.

 Forum for Durgotsab official Partha Ghosh said that "From our members and locals frequenting the pandals to artisans, priests, dhakis and electricians - everyone will have to get COVID vaccines in the next three months," The puja committees will also make certain that people visiting the pandals wear masks covering the nose and mouth and maintain social distancing.

The pandals have to be built in such a way that devotees can see the idols from a distance and need not come near, as per the guidelines, which will be submitted to the government, and are similar to the ones set by the Calcutta High Court last year as it banned the entry of people to the pandals.

"We expect everyone to get both doses, but for traditional drummers coming from villages two-three days before the puja. As we don't have a control over their vaccination, we cannot assure anything but we will try to ensure that they get at least one dose," Ghosh added.

SC reverses Allahabad HC decision to resume DJ in UP

PM Modi admired CM Yogi's style of work, said this

Digvijay Singh and his party leaders play appeasement politics: Narottam Mishra