It’s Diwali 2.0 as cracker market bursting with customers; diyas too in high demand

Nagpur: It’s Diwali 2.0 for the firecracker industry as different organizations and individuals in the city are planning grand celebrations for the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22.

“People, mostly from temple trusts and residential societies, are buying firecrackers in bulk. Last 10 days have been hectic, but I don’t mind it,” said Lalit Karwatkar, a wholesale manufacturer and seller in Itwari.

The cracker sellers, who otherwise see a dull period post Diwali, wedding season and New Year celebrations, had released a few helpers. “But we had to rehire them because of the renewed rush. Though the sales figures haven’t touched the Diwali mark yet, we expect them to get closer by January 22,” said Amit Chandak, who runs Chandak Fataka in Besa.

As per sources, the industry is seeing a 30-35% increase in demand as compared to the same period last year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath had appealed to people to light diyas and celebrate the occasion of Ram temple consecration like Diwali. “Messages are floating even on social media to celebrate the ceremony like Diwali,” said Chandak.

The city police or the Nagpur Municipal Corporation are yet to issue any guidelines on bursting firecrackers. Karwatkar said he is expecting individual customers too in the next couple of days. “Some people may still have some crackers from their Diwali stock , yet we expect the business to grow as no one wants to miss out on the celebrations,” he said.

Not just the fataka industry, even potters and diya sellers are having a busy time as demand has increased manifold. “We are selling diyas in dozens. There are special diyas that have ‘Jai Shree Ram’ inscribed on them. They are selling like hotcakes,” said Lilabai, a diya seller at Gokulpeth market.


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