BHUBANESWAR: Gone are the days when a single sparkler’s packet cost around Rs 10 and people used to buy the crackers first and then think of the budget.With the steep rise of around 30 to 40 per cent in the price of the firecrackers, people these days are buying crackers as per their budget. According to an all-India survey conducted by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), there might be a likely drop of 35 to 40 per cent in the demand of firecrackers. Inflation has hit this market also as the price of raw materials has gone up.On Diwali-eve, there has hardly been much of a rush to the cracker stalls. Most of the crackers were yet to be sold, with the traders expecting the sales to go up on the day of Diwali. Previous years witnessed people going shopping for crackers much before Diwali. There are a variety of crackers like the multiple shot colourful rockets, chakris, anar and much more. They range from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000 and above. Some of the rockets are priced at Rs 1,500 each.There has also been a change in the attitude of the people. Many are planing to celebrate the festival with only lights, sweets and diyas. “I prefer spending quality time with my family and lighting up my home with diyas. I do not find any logic behind bursting loud crackers,” said Mohit, a college student.“Diwali is the perfect time to meet friends. Eating well will be the focus throughout,” said Arti, a home-maker.According to the manager of Mayfair Lagoon, there is a greater demand for dry fruits as compared to sweets. They have dry fruits packets ranging from Rs 1,000 a kilo and above. While some are preferring fruits to sweets, there is also a rise in the use of chocolates as a replacement for sweets. Some are opting for sugar-free sweets.The online markets are doing a parallel business where relatives are using these services to send gifts and sweets. With the increasing popularity of the online market, people have also changed over to this mode of gifting.
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