Rojmel account books adapt to cashless economy

MUMBAI: Diwali marks the start of the new year Vikram Samvat 2074. On Thursday Gujarati, Jain and Maharashtrian businessmen will perform the Chopda Pujan where new account books called rojmel are sanctified for the new trading cycle.
Red books imprinted with images of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Laxmi are worshipped during the mahurat hour with offerings of vermilion, flowers, fruit and fragrance.Mass Chopdi Pujan ceremonies are held in Swaminarayan temple while individual traders do so at home or in office.
Dealers explain how changing economic trends have impacted Chopdi Pujan. Pratik Gala of Anupam Stationery, Andheri West, said, "This year fewer people are opting to keep handwritten account books owing to the focus on cashless economy. Handwritten accounts may be construed as cash payment and could attract scrutiny. In any case, most have switched to computerised records. For them Chopda Pujan is an age-old tradition that they feel they must maintain."
Pratik's own family adapted to computers a few years ago, but continues to perform this ritual. Some traders actually anoint their screens with vermilion and place flowers.
Pratik said, "The rojmel itself has undergone a change in recent months. In 2016, the finance ministry's proposal to change the financial year from April-March to January-December prompted printers to offer more options. Account books are printed from Diwali to Diwali but we also printed them from January to April in case businessmen needed to make the switch suddenly."