Kendrapada: “My parents couldn’t buy me a new dress this Ganesh Puja as they have no money. It is a time of struggle and not for celebration,” said Atul Jena, a Class IX student of a govt school at Kasananta village under Pattamundai block in Kendrapada district, summing up the sombre mood of thousands of flood-affected villagers in two districts.The recent devastating floods in Dasarathpur, Korei, Bari and Binjharpur blocks of Jajpur, and Aul, Rajkanika, Rajnagar and Pattamundai blocks of Kendrapada district cast a shadow over Ganesh Puja celebrations on Monday. Though the floodwaters receded last week, many riverside residents continue to struggle to recover from the devastation.Bhagabat Mallick (53) of Gobindapur village under Aul block said each year on Ganesh Puja day, they used to perform the rituals in houses, clubs and educational institutions. But now silence reigns in the village and its nearby areas, said Mallick.The floods have severely affected normal life, with extensive damage to standing crops, houses and other properties. With reconstruction and rehabilitation progressing slowly, many affected families are more concerned about arranging food and meeting their basic needs than participating in celebrations. As a result, Ganesh Puja celebrations have remained largely subdued in several areas.Most of the puja committees have reduced their expenditure, and many have decided against elaborate pandal decorations. In Malikapur village under Dasarathpur, organisers reportedly abandoned plans to erect the traditional large altar this year in the wake of the financial hardships.“People are still trying to recover from the floods. Under such circumstances, there is little enthusiasm for celebrations,” a local resident said.The anger and frustration against the authorities are flaming in the hearts of the flood-affected villagers on the day of festival,” said Jagannath Das (62), a retired schoolteacher of Malikapur village.