The economics of Durga Puja and how it helps in improving business and employment

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

If we go by the FICCI rankings, Kolkata apparently does not seem to be a favourable place for Trade and Commerce. It is placed on 14th position and is left behind by most of the advance Indian cities
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However, the ‘City of Joy’ was not always seen like this. There have been times in past when Kolkata was compared with the Manchester, but gradually its glory has faded into oblivion.

But wait, once every year, when the entire city is painted with the colours of love, happiness, merriment and devotion during the ‘Durga Puja’, it also creates ample business opportunities for everyone.

Not only local businesses, ‘Pujo’ has been able to catch the eyeballs of corporate giants and it started in the early 2000s with the entry of none other than ‘Asian Paints’ in the picture.

Tourism Opportunities

The concept of theme puja and the creative art surrounding it that adorns the streets of Kolkata during these five days attracts people from around the world.

According to Aloke Gupta, a tourist operator, “Kolkata becomes a tourist destination during the Puja days and every year the percentage is escalating. We wait for these five days throughout the year. Thanks to Maa Durga!”

“It is time that our politicians came forward to make business friendly environment, for the benefit of so many unemployed youth,” he added.

Employment Generation



The work which varies from idol making to ‘pandel’ decoration generates a wide range of employment opportunities for thousands of unemployed youth.

Gopi Santra who was working for two months in Deshopriya Park said, “All this year I was attempting every examination in hope of getting a good government job. But I am fed up with this task as there is no job in Bengal. I really want to thank Mintu Pal, the lead artiste of Deshopriya Park, for giving me a job and paying me an amount of Rs. 20000”.

The real picture of Bengal

From the local shops to retail giants and eateries like Pantaloons, Shoppers Stop, Subway, Mc Donalds, KFC and others make a huge profit that reach upto at least 40% of their annual revenues, during the time of ‘Pujo’.

According to Rabi Meheta, Secretary of the New Market Business association, “Durga Puja actually projects the real picture of Bengal. The image of Bengal is hampered everyday due to the political tension. Bengal has a huge business opportunity, and it was also there in the past”.



The estimated budget of five famous Puja organisations this year:

Deshopriya Park- Rs 20 core

Suruchi Sangha- Rs 10-15 core

Ekdalia- Rs 5 core

Mudiali- Rs 1 core

Singhi Park- Rs 80 lac

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Introduction

Arnab Mitra, Alumnus of IIMC, Works at Newsgram.com, @sabkathani