Ranchi: Jharkhand’s state capital, being a city with a majority of people of the Christian religion, is seen getting everything set for the upcoming Christmas celebrations, as the markets are all decked up.
The months-long pandemic has put barriers to every other festival in the city, but the Christmas festivity is here with all its merry vibes. Shopkeepers around the main markets in the city are expressing hope for a boost in their businesses, after the severe loss caused by the nationwide shutdown.
However, not many customers have been seen around the markets, as the lockdown might have ended, but the pandemic is still there, and people are afraid too. Amidst all these, the St. Paul Cathedral Church is being painted and decorated for the upcoming festivity.
According to Peter, a shopkeeper, “Though the shopkeepers are ready to welcome the customers in the market ahead of Christmas and New Year, consumers are still not coming out in large numbers”. Another shopkeeper James stated – “The celebrations are a bit grim this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are not having enough sales too but we are hoping to earn more ahead of the grand festivals.”
Notably, Jharkhand has contributed to the pandemic with 1,13,025 cases of infected people since the beginning, among which there are 1,708 active cases. 1,10,307 people have recovered from the viral disease, while 1,010 people in the state died from the virus.