The sweltering summer badly hit the business of artisans and stalls owners who have put their stalls at Gandhi Shilp Mela at Morabadi jointly organised by Ministry of Textile, Government of India and Jharcraft, undertaking of Jharkhand Government. Artisans are now afraid, that they might do feeble business as footfall is immensely less.
Artisans from across India have gathered to do brisk business in the State capital by showcasing their aesthetic collections here. The fair which used to get ample footfall, this year inspite of school and college holidays, will hardly gain positive response from shopaholics due to the spooling heat. As per the MET department prediction, the temperature will rise in the coming weeks.
“last year, especially during the afternoon, we use to do fairly good business but this year I find hardly any relieve from high temperature. However, I am expecting good crowd in evening, as few cultural programmes too have been planned by the organis ers. Though it is hard to predict anything, as it is too early and one week is there with us,” said, Uttam Kumar, a Gujarati artisan, who have come from Surat to showcase his handmade Kurtis collections.
Similarly, another stall owner from Hajipur, Bihar while arranging his stuffs, added, “We were not aware about the present weather conditions, this time even during weekends crowd will hardly come to the fair as the temperature is reeling above forty degree. In comparison to last year, looking at the present sight, it is hard to make any profit.”
As many as 100 different stalls are put up in the fair catering to the need of shopaholics. Home decor products to fancy Knick-Knacks, from designer attires to decorative items, the fair have almost everything to offer from different parts of the country. On the other hand, many stalls are empty, as the owners are hesitant to put their stalls in this scorching heat.
With the aim to promote indigenous products of several states reflecting the essence and spirit of incredible India, the fair has been organised on wide scale providing platform to both craftsmen and public. This year too several events have been planned to enthrall the visitors at fair but the rising temperature has hit the business badly.
“I am putting the stalls for the first time here and expecting good response from people but since inauguration none of my art collections have been sold out and the heat is likely to increase in the coming days,” said, Usha Devi, an award winner, Madhubani painting exponent. The fair will continue till May 7.
