Siliguri, October 21, 2020: Durga Puja is not only a festival but emotion and expression of art for the Bengali community. One of the main attractions of West Bengal’s Durga Puja celebration is the theme-based pandals, and while the country is grappling with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) spread, it is obvious to make an entry in the themes. Set of photos shared by Nittya Paul on Facebook depicts Durga idol don in doctor’s coat along with a stethoscope and aiming an injection (trishul) at ‘coronasur’ (mahishasur) is making rounds on the internet.

The theme stands as a tribute to those who have been on the frontline throughout the pandemic crisis– ‘the corona warriors’. Durga is accompanied by her four children — Ganesh dressed in police officer’s uniform, Lakshmi as a nurse, Saraswati as a teacher and Kartik as a cleaner. The idols are made by sculptor Jiten Paul in Siliguri, a city in North Bengal.

MP Shashi Tharoor tweeted the photo saying, “Brilliantly appropriate #covid19-themed Durga Puja creativity from Kolkata, with the goddess slaying the virus! Salutations to the unknown designer & sculptor #DurgaPuja2020”