Dharmosakti: Dr. Arnab Basu (IIM-C, MIT) decodes Puja’s billion-dollar economy with humour & insight

Welcome to Dharmosakti: Power of Religion in Economy – the most explosive edition of the Jomiye Adda podcast, where faith meets finance, culture meets commerce, and devotion drives a billion-dollar heartbeat. Hosted by Dr. Arnab Basu (IIM-C, MIT) , this unique podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of Durga Puja’s economy – the grand carnival of Kolkata that is now officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity . But this is not your average discussion. This is storytelling with humour, data, and insight – designed to keep Bengalis in Kolkata, London, New York, Dubai, and Dhaka glued to every word. What you’ll discover in this episode: How Durga Puja generates a multi-billion dollar economy in India and abroad. The role of Kumartuli artisans , pandal makers, decorators, and designers in driving the creative economy. Why OYO hotel bookings , liquor sales , and even dating apps experience a sudden boom during the festival. The hidden economics of pandal sponsorships, advertising, bhog distribution, and street food . Foreign tourists in Kolkata – their spending habits, curiosities, and how they shape the global image of Puja. Surprising industries that spike during Puja – from fashion and gold jewellery to taxis, air tickets, photography, and even temporary “two-hour hotels.” Love, laughter, and sometimes scandal – from post-marital affairs caught during pandal-hopping to the rise of quirky businesses feeding on Puja vibes. A bold projection: By 2030, Durga Puja’s economy could rival the GDP of small nations . This is not just a festival; it’s an economic engine , a cultural revolution , and a global Bengali identity that thrives from Kolkata to California. And with Dr. Arnab Basu’s global academic background (IIT, MIT) and his signature mix of sharp analysis and witty banter, every topic comes alive – from serious stats to hilarious real-life anecdotes. If you’ve ever wondered: Is Durga Puja religion or art? How much does Kolkata actually earn during these five days? Why do foreign tourists flock here despite language barriers? What secret businesses make the most profit during Puja nights? …this podcast answers them all – with numbers, laughter, and jaw-dropping facts you won’t find anywhere else. ## Why listen? Because Dharmosakti is more than a podcast – it’s the first-ever fusion of Puja adda + serious economics + global storytelling . It’s designed for Bengalis and festival lovers across India, the UK, USA, Europe, Middle East, and Bangladesh who want to connect with the magic, money, and madness of Puja in a way that feels new, viral, and unforgettable. Subscribe now to Jomiye Adda and join the conversation. Whether you’re in Maddox Square or Manhattan, Durga Puja will never feel the same again once you know the power of Dharmosakti . #DurgaPuja #Dharmosakti #JomiyeAdda #DrArnabBasu #IIT #MIT #KolkataPuja #AgartalaPuja #TripuraFestival #AssamFestival #WestBengalCulture #DurgaPuja2025 #SharodUtsav #Kumartuli #PandalHopping #BengaliCulture #KolkataAdda #FestivalEconomy #ReligionAndEconomy #PujaVibes #PujoAdda #BengaliDiaspora #DurgaPujaUK #DurgaPujaUSA #DurgaPujaEurope #DurgaPujaBangladesh #GlobalBengali #FestivalOfFestivals #BengaliPodcast #OYO #PandalSponsorship #KolkataStreetFood #PujaFashion #MaddoxSquare #PujaNights #PujoPrem #SharodiyaAdda #BijoyaBanter #SharodUtsavEconomy #CulturalEconomy #PujaTourism #ForeignTourists #HeritageFestival #DurgaPujaHeritage #UNESCOFestival #FestivalBusiness #Pujo2025 #PujaSpecialPodcast Thanks to #ArkaDeb( handholding), Rahul Das (Overall technical support), Rohan - Editing and graphics, Sumana Pal- Graphics support, Anirban-photoediting ,Studio- #Niyogi's Place, email-jomiyaadda@gmail.com,7439132669