The national Capital may have erupted in celebration of the 78th Independence Day on Thursday, but the festive mood was missing from the once-vibrant streets of Sadar Bazar and Chawri Bazar, usually awash with patriotic fervour and crowded with shoppers buying kites, national flags and other items in the days leading up to the Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan, which falls this year on August 19.
Despair has replaced the usual anticipation the shopkeepers of these markets had from this festive season which brought in good business for them. But this year the vendors confront the grim reality of fewer footfalls and dwindling sales due to frequent spells of heavy rain and resultant flooding and water-logging.
Mohammad Ahsan, who sells items related to Independence Day celebration including flags, bands, clothing and masks, rued that water-logging and sludge drives the customers away. “Sales have nosedived because of the long wet spell. We have to pack up every now and then because of the intermittent rain that has customers scurrying for cover to avoid getting drenched standing on the streets. Unsurprisingly, compared to last year, our earnings are drastically down. The chances of making up for the loss in the next few days are getting slimmer and slimmer with the water-logging and mud and slush driving away customers.”
Referring to the “Har Ghar Tiranga” campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added, “When Modi launched this national campaign, our sales soared to the sky but now with diffused focus on that, this time around the sales have remained very low.”
The frequent downpour has severely affected sales of the vendors who wait for these events to earn some extra money but with the woeful lack of civic amenities, mostly a foolproof drainage system, in the city we are struggling to stay afloat.
“Not only are there fewer customers, but the rain has also damaged much of our stocks. Items that once sold for Rs 25 are now being offered at a heavily discounted price of Rs 10 or less. We’re barely making enough to feed our kids. Even though there are crowds, sales are non-existent. People come, check the prices, and leave without buying,” Khazal, a 30-year-old kite seller, said, describing the current situation as the worst he has experienced.
In the streets, which are dirty and dingy, many women sit on the roads to sell their rakhis. Seema, a vendor from Seemapuri and the sole breadwinner for her family, is feeling the pinch. “The rain has arrived late this year, which is unusual for this month. We’re struggling to save our stock from getting ruined. There’s no profit, just enough to keep the hunger at bay. Of course, it takes a physical toll when we have to run as soon as the rain arrives to save our inventory. And once it starts to rain, we have no option but to pack up and leave for home resulting in losses.”
Jyoti, who sells rakhis on the roadside, echoes the same frustration. “The rain has been relentless, and sales are less than half of what they were last year. Even last year it wasn’t great, but at least we managed to get by. This year, not only is there less excitement, but pickpocketing has also become a major issue. People lose expensive phones and wallets, which further discourage them from coming out to shop.”
Mohammad Afsar, who brings rakhis from Muradabad and sells them at different prices, notes, “My shop is somewhat protected, so I haven’t suffered as much as those selling on the roadside. For them, the rain means closing up shop or going home empty-handed.”
