Catchy names fire up crackers sales
An eight-year-old Lohit beseeched his father to buy him \'kurkure\' at Andhra University Engineering grounds on the day just before the festival of lights.
Visakhapatnam: An eight-year-old Lohit beseeched his father to buy him 'kurkure' at Andhra University Engineering grounds on the day just before the festival of lights. Not denying the plea, the benevolent parent procured what his son has asked for. Kurkure packet in Lohit's smooth hands is not filled with edible corn puffs, but with pencil sticks which produces sparkling lights when it is lit. Another child at the counter seeks World War – II, but very quick to change his decision and shouts let’s go for Niagara Falls. Strange right!
- Some of the catchy titles include World War –II, Candy Crush, Pink Panther, Pista, Boomer, Angry Bird, Google, Green Munch and Kurkure
In an attempt to draw customers, cracker makers are using popular names, nearly 200 outlets, which were set up at AU Engineering grounds, are selling crackers named after edible products, online games and Internet search engines. Some of the catchy titles include World War –II, Candy Crush, Pink Panther, Pista, Boomer, Angry Bird, Google, Green Munch and Kurkure.
“With the rise in campaigns stressing on eco-friendly Diwali celebrations, we are slowly losing customers every year. Forget about purchasing, there has to be something engaging to draw the public to the stalls at least. So, the manufacturers tried ‘popular names’ strategy. May be next year we can see Whatsapp, Facebook and Blue Whale fireworks too,” says K Raja Sekhar, President of Vizag Fire Works Dealers Welfare Association.
Talking about weather impact and fireworks sales, Raja said if everything goes well on the festival day without rain, stall owners will be in a safe zone as they have invested Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh for procuring crackers. “Usually, 20 per cent of the business happens prior to Diwali. On the festival day, from morning till evening , the sales would be an all time high,” he explains.
Compared to crackers, rockets, fountains, bombs and cotton made sky lanterns are being purchased by many in huge numbers. Srinivas says, “I have sold 100 last year. This time I am expecting 200 sky lanterns would be sold as many are looking to go for pollution-free and less noise festival.” Like Srinivas, there are more youth at various junctions vending sky lanterns.
By Y Abhishek Paul
