Durga Puja in Bengal seen as economic and cultural driver, says Kunal Ghosh

Kunal Ghosh, a senior leader of the Trinamool Congress, highlighted on August 29 how Durga Puja serves as a catalyst for both cultural expression and economic growth in West Bengal. He noted that the festival’s extensive involvement of artisans, designers, and merchants—ranging from outfit sellers to flower growers—creates a seasonal surge in commercial activity. Ghosh remarked that this economic dynamism, combined with the festival’s artistic innovations such as theme‑based pandals, has earned Durga Puja UNESCO heritage recognition, underscoring its broad cultural significance. While the VHP urged a return to purely traditional worship environments, Ghosh argued that Bengal already maintains classical rituals, and contemporary artistic elements complement rather than contradict the core religious sentiments.