Not only 'aam aadmi', this year’s fest recession-hit too

The tradition of Ganesh festival in Pune goes back more than a century. Over a period of time, the tradition has become an integral part of the city’s calendar and the life of its people. But this festive season, the recession-hit aam aadmi has had a tough time on all fronts.

The local Ganpati mandals are the worst-hit by the slowdown and the affect the economy has had on the manner of celebrations is visible almost instantly. The recent serial bombings in the city have also raised security concerns and the police force has their task cut out. Amidst all the predicaments, this year’s Ganesh festival seems like a lacklustre affair.

Many of the mandals thrive on donations and sponsorships that they get prior to the festival, and a lot of the display and presentation of the idol depends on the money. This year, the budget cuts have been significant as compared to the average of the previous five years.

Ketan Paranjape, a member of the Gaikwad Talim Mandal in Narayan Peth, says, “Sponsorships have been very less this year. The impact of recession is quite visible.” It is not just that the small mandals are facing funds crunch; some of the city’s biggest mandals are also feeling the heat. Anna Thorat, president of Mandai Mandal, says, “Sponsorships have gone down by as much as 60-70 % as compared to last year.”

On the other hand, security concerns and fear in the minds of the people is also a factor behind a dampened atmosphere. The first week of the festival saw fewer crowds flocking to visit the sarvajanik Ganesh Idols.

Tanmay Kanitkar, secretary of Parivartan, an NGO that works for better governance, explains, “The blasts on JM Road are fairly recent and the memory is still fresh in the minds of the people. It only means that the police are alert at all times and the people too are more co-operative than usual.”

Paranjape also complimented the police and said, “The police have been surprisingly cooperative this time around. They have requested the mandals to provide five volunteers for safety and traffic control purposes. They are also lenient about the music deadlines and only if a complaint is received, we are asked to turn it down a little.”