[Music]
the big
fat indian wedding has been slimmed down
numbers can run into the thousands but
in times of covet
rules in delhi only allow for up to 200
guests
as india's peak marriage season begins
cases are rising
the country's wealthy is still finding
ways to celebrate safely
[Music]
all the guests which i've been invited
here all my staff
and the people who are working for us
they all they have the kobe test done
before coming to this function
because then we test a negative so they
are easily hugging each other they are
getting close to each other and they can
enjoy the you a small intimate wedding
these scenes are far from intimate as
millions prepare to celebrate the hindu
festival of diwali
shoppers have been thronging at some of
delhi's markets
the fabric of this nation is built on
social connections
at this quieter market we visited there
was no appetite for a second lockdown
even as cases climb it's very crowdy
outside so
we are also little tensed whether to go
or not
but it's okay we should have fun it's a
festival
with cases rising do you think there
should be a lockdown no there should not
be a lockdown anymore now
because there are a number of cases
which are getting recovered as increased
people are already tired of all this
people want to get out of their home
this is the time when we can step out
but shoppers aren't stepping out like
they usually do
traders told me they're struggling this
diwali
the sunday's been making puppets all her
life a craft handed down
through generations but never before has
a generation
had to deal with coronavirus
for us poor people there is no diwali
she tells me
we've gone bankrupt we've been suffering
for the last eight months
we can't afford food or clothes there's
no safety net for millions of this
nation's poor
and that's why so far the government's
resisted a second national lockdown
but the balance between protecting
people from hardship and protecting
their health
comes at a price covered cases are
rising at record levels in delhi
icu beds are fast running out and
pollution-related illnesses are also
fueling the demand
doctors have told the bbc india's
capital is heading towards a medical
emergency
i am extremely extremely worried
right now it's a horrible time icos are
full
if the numbers increase substantially
i shudder to think what will happen and
how
we will manage those cases
[Music]
with diwali around the corner prayers
that the worst
isn't to come this temple has security
guards to enforce social distancing
but doctors warn that if indians don't
remain vigilant this festival season
celebrations could be short-lived regina
five in arvin bbc news
delhi
you