The Durga Puja hit West Bengal and the country this week. One of the main attractions of the festival is pandal hopping, where people visit the expressively themed arrangements. While the creativity tends to leave the visitors spellbound, this year one pandal was noticed for something different: an awareness campaign. It was intended to make children aware of mobile addiction, but with a horrific twist that attracted attention.
A Ghost Panda Goes Viral
In the video, there were children crying, and others were scared. Why? A ghost statue inside the pandal that “caught” children who were using cell phones. The moment they saw the statue, the children were quick to keep their distance.
Parents Joke: “Even This Can’t Scare Our Kids!”
While many kids were spooked, several of them in the comments section claimed this would not influence their children whatsoever. One user wrote, “Mera beta toh isse bhi na dara,” while another claimed, “My kid would have laughed at me.”
Internet Slams Durga Puja Pandal Theme as ‘Terrorizing’
But numerous others were extremely opposed to the idea, saying it frightens children with no good effect. One of them said, “This is simply traumatizing children without imparting correct knowledge, nothing but misinformation.”
Another said, “Don’t do this. It will impact children’s sleep; they won’t be able to sleep in peace at night due to this horror.”
Several noted that this was very misleading for innocent minds. “Disgusting, how dare you frighten innocent minds,” one user wrote, while another commented, “Not awareness but horror. horror of technology. and definitely not right.”
Durga Puja in Bengal is not a festival; it is an ever-unfolding tapestry of faith, art, and music. Traveling around the state at this time is to steep oneself in its culture, taste its food, and witness a festive rejoicing that brings together millions. The pandals are not only meant to depict grandeur but also to focus on social issues that echo modern-day concerns.
