Moolah ringing for businessmen involved in rally preparations

LUCKNOW: The ringing of cash registers is music to their ears. Each time the boom box crackles, announcing the Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) `Maha Rally' on March 15, their smiles grow wider. These are Lucknow's businessmen, whose fame and fortunes depend on the success of just such events.Since it all boils down to simple economics, it's evenbetter, for instance, if it involves arranging for over 1,000 quintal of flowersfor a single day's show. That's what a florist in Lucknow is doing. With over 50years of experience in the business of flowers, Jameel Shamsi and his men areall set to put up a grand show at Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan on the D-day. "We willdecorate the entire stage with flowers," says Shamsi.But 1,000quintal is no mean number. Here's the floral menu of the day. Nearly 500 to 700quintal of the famous `Kalkatiya Genda' (Kolkata Marigold) will be combined withover 400 bundles of white and pink carnations. Added to these, a dash of about400 bundles of Jerberas, mixed with nearly 250 bundles of BSP blue Orchids forgood measure. For a touch of panache, nearly 300 pieces of Birds of Paradise --a native South African flower priced at Rs 50 a piece -- are thrown in and thefloral potpourri is ready to intoxicate.Interestingly, aside fromthe quota of tube roses and gladioli that will be arranged locally, all otherflowers are being flown and driven into the city from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune,Bangalore, Kolkata and parts of Uttaranchal.If the flower businessis in full bloom, it's time for fireworks for the local `lights men' too.Responsible for lending a bridal look to the state capital, this time these menare doing things with a difference. Chinese-made LED lights may berun-of-the-mill when it comes to decorating wedding tents and homes, but for thefirst time, they are lighting up the unassuming roundabouts of Lucknow. Sincegrandeur is the name of the game, here again, we're talking no less than 10 lakhLED lights -- a rough estimate -- across the city. "We have put up our LEDlights at eight major roundabouts and some monuments too. All domes of SmritiUpvan, the entire Ramabai Ambedkar maidan, Samajik Parivartan Sthal and GandhiSetu have been decorated by us," says Naveen Kapoor, who is arranging theelectrical works. Like in the case of flowers, even the lights are being ferriedinto Lucknow, from Delhi and Kanpur. These are Chinese lights that cost anywherebetween Rs 30 and Rs 150 for a string of 110 bulbs. LED lights are available inLucknow also, but the rates are better when procured from outside. "Let's nottalk money here. We've worked with BSP before and they are quick to pay for theservices that we have provided. As a result, we are more than happy to do ourbest to make the rally a success," adds Kapoor.If the city isdecorated to wow, even those selling party memorabilia are all set to make akilling. The 35-member team of a wholesale dealer in "political ingredients" isbusy getting their act together for the D-day. From 8 sq ft framed photographsof BSP supremo Mayawati, her political mentor Kanshiram, Chhatrapati ShahujiMaharaj and Jyotiba Phule to BSP caps, neck cloths, kerchiefs, mobile covers,BSP "Mangal Sutras", BSP hair clips, bangles, goggles and umbrellas, everythingwill be sold at specially organised stalls at the venue of the rally. "At suchevents, the profit margins are never too high. However, it is a good platform topromote our brand," says Rajesh Agarwal, proprietor of the store. While nearly1,000 photographs have been prepared for sale, almost 10,000 pieces of othermemorabilia will be put up for sale -- priced between Rs 5 and Rs 100 -- at therally venue.Like everything else, lodging and dining arrangementsfor expected 10 lakh people are equally grand. Tents have been set up, both forsleeping and for dining purposes, with nearly six local contractors pitching into host the feast. "We have printed food coupons for the people who will come.In addition, we have also printed posters, pamphlets and volunteer passes forthe rally," says Mohd Aijaz Khan, proprietor of a printingfirm.That's not all that promises to make the BSP rally a grandshow. Aside from making elaborate arrangements to make the rally a roaringsuccess, the BSP government will also circulate literature enumerating theachievements of the government through its tenure and the measures taken forDalit upliftment.