Karthika Masam sans festivities

- People hard-pressed for cash for Vana Bhojanalu
- People trying to save whatever money they have

Vijayawada: Karthika Masam, an auspicious month for Telugu people, has been devoid of any glitter this time thanks to the demonetisation move by the central government. People are finding it tough to raise money for festivities linked to the month due to the non-availability of smaller denomination cash. Families depending on business are the worst-affected because of demonetization. Their trade, irrespective of big or small, slowed down as there has been a drastic fall in sales. The lack of money in banks and ATMs resulted in sudden fall in purchases by salaried as well as daily wage workers.

The economic emergency-like situation has had a direct impact on their festive mood.

Forest areas in and around the city would witness hectic activity on usual days of the month. Mango groves in Nuzvid, Manginapudi beach in Machilipatnam, Bhavani islands in Vijayawada, forests in Kondapalli and other destinations are the places which accommodate huge crowds who go for celebrating the month. They go in cars and special cabs as groups and spend an entire day there. They take lunch with all varieties of food items and usually take photographs of their time there. Some of them also take along professional photographers with them.

Now, with no money in hand, they cannot raise fund for the celebrations and are trying to cope with the little money they have with them. Petty and medium traders had already slipped into an economic crisis and are finding it difficult to include Vana Mahotsavam in their budget. “How to manage family spending is our biggest concern, leave alone revelry and fun of Vana Mahotsavam,” said Lakshmi, a housewife waiting to withdraw money from an ATM at Vidyadharapuram. And there are many who echo with her line of thinking.

Noor Shaik