Chopda pujan gets truncated in digital age Some miss the grand affair, some have more time to meet family, friends

Chopda pujan gets truncated in digital age

Some miss the grand affair, some have more time to meet family, friends

The age of technology has reduced puja time. Diwali puja, commonly known as Chopda puja, that used to be grand family affair of at least 45 minutes to over an hour of puja has been truncated to only 15 minutes. On Diwali, ledger books, account books and all business books are brought out for a puja. But now computers have invaded the scene and people hardly use books for records. “At the most, we have one or two books during the puja. Almost all our ledger books and account books have gone digital. That takes barely a few minute for the puja to get over,” said Ritesh Jain, a resident of Nanachowk and managing director of Auro Gold Jewellery Pvt. Ltd. As someone into business of jewellery, Chopda pujan is an important part for Jain every Diwali which used to be a grand affair. “Now, we do not even call all the staff. One or two members come for the puja as not many books are taken out,” added Jain. Jains has a few books to take out for the puja, others like Deral Ghosh do not even do that. “Earlier, more than half the day would be spent on that. We put a tika on the computer and trade online. We are moving ahead with the times,” said Ghosh, a resident of Malad and whose husband is into stock business. This gives the family a lot of time to spend together. Ghosh managed to have lunch with her family in south Mumbai and then meet her friends and relatives too. Some miss the grand pujas that were part of tradition. “We liked going to friends’ place for pujas. I still remember it used to be a grand affair particularly in joint families where all the family members were together. That has changed,” said Nelu Gidwani, a resident of Napeansea Road.