Green initiatives leave cracker vendors blue

With Diwali round the corner most cracker stalls of the city as well as other parts of the states often see a huge festive rush. But the scenario in the past few days has been quite the contrary. It seems this Diwali will be a quiet one without the bursting of loud firecrackers. Vendors of the region have noticed a 30 per cent decrease in sale of crackers and many youngsters have also pledged to celebrate a silent Diwali this year.

Few reasons for the sudden shift in the tide has been more awareness among youngsters about the ill effects of bursting crackers, incessant online campaigns and the cyclone Hudhud.

In Vizag, many small shops have been putting up boards with messages requesting customers to refrain from buying crackers and donate money to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

AP CM Chandrababu Naidu appealed to its citizen across the residual state to observe a simple Diwali this year. Many Facebook pages have been gaining ground during the same time and are posting images and messages on social media propagating the idea.

Meanwhile, most cracker stalls in the city and other parts of Telangana also wore a deserted look on Sunday and Monday evenings. According to a teacher from Kendriya Vidyalaya, students in many schools have taken oath not to use crackers and it resulted in over 50 per cent less trade as compared to last year. It was noticed that many traders could not sell even 25 per cent of their stock by Monday evening and are cynical about making any profit this year.

"Against last year, this year's sale of crackers was only 30-40 per cent," a cracker vendor from Hyderabad said, adding that all vendors are suffering big losses this year. According to vendors, most of the people preferred purchasing less noisy fireworks such as sparklers. According to Vijay Kumar, another seller, the huge price of crackers was another reason for fewer sales. "Very few people are willing to purchase expensive crackers. Prices have risen up to 30 per cent this year. Altogether, we will have to bear the brunt," he said.

Demand for chocolates, dry fruits and other trusted brands were higher than the supply. Perhaps an effect of fear of adulteration in traditional sweets or the smart advertising of gifting chocolates by brands like Cadbury with products exclusively for the festive season, crowds at sweet shops can be seen thinning and chocolates going out of stock.

"I could not get a Diwali special chocolate and dry fruits gift pack even on Monday. Shopkeepers say that the stock was completely out before Sunday noon and would be wiring some more," an upset customer said.

Sweet shop owners said they had an average business this year, other shopkeepers and supermarkets are having a good time due to the unprecedented demand for packed gift items.