Kolkata (West Bengal): Despite several doctors, as well as medical practitioners' associations, having warned against any congregations during the upcoming Durga Puja, a section of junior doctors and nursing staff at the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) have decided to organise a puja inside the hospital premises.
The organisers say CMCH doctors, nurses and employees have been continuously engaged in the fight against COVID-19, and many of them have not gone home for months. Through Durga Puja they will get a medium to relax, and hence the decision was taken to organise the puja with a budget of around Rs 5 lakh, they said.
Further, there are also plans to distribute clothes to deprived children from the streets.
However, the decision to organise the puja has invited strong criticism from many quarters.
"We have already warned against any congregation during the pujas and its pitfalls. The situation might turn extremely grave. We have also appealed to the Chief Minister to take extra measures in controlling any congregation," Dr Sajal Biswas, General Secretary of the Service Doctors' Forum said.
"It is extremely unfortunate that when no concrete steps are being taken to control congregations and follow Covid-19 protocols, a Durga Puja is being allowed inside the CMCH. It will only encourage others," Biswas added.
Read: Oppn, docs slam Mamata's 'will send Corona to isolation' remark
Echoing similar views, Kolkata district committee secretary of the Medical Service Centre, Dr Biplob Chandra said, "We are surprised to find that such a Durga Puja is being organised inside the CMCH. It is not only unfortunate but will also raise the risk of infections among the staff and doctors of CMCH."
Dr Punyabrata Gun of the Joint Forum of Doctors, West Bengal added, "We have appealed to the state administration to ensure that social distancing and Covid-19 protocols are strictly adhered to during the Durga Puja. Questions are obviously being raised about the puja being organised inside CMCH. The organisers should have thought about the dangers before going ahead."
Earlier, members of Joint Platform of Doctors, in their letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, referred to the steep rise in coronavirus cases in Kerala after the recent Onam festival, and urged her to take stricter measures to restrict public gathering during Durga puja, as it might "lead to a tsunami" of infections.
Read: West Bengal CM announces guidelines for Durga Puja celebrations
