With Diwali round the corner, people are preparing to loosen their purse strings wide despite the inflation. “Right from the day of Dhanteras till the Diwali is over, we have to spend money, inflation or no inflation. But this time, the inflation and the consequent hike in the prices of the essential commodities would definitely impact adversely on the spirit of celebration. However, the spirit of festivities proves the better of the hardships we are in,” said Kamala, a homemaker from a lower middle class family.
Huge crowds gathered at the jewellery shops in the city as well as the shops that sell utensils on Monday to mark Dhanteras. Whereas the affluent were seen buying gold, those lying on the lower end of the income ladder went for utensils and other utility items. However, many had to contend themselves with a set of spoons, the gaudy items being much beyond their reach.
With money required to celebrate the festivals, the lower middle class people are worrying as to how they would manage things. Many said they were reining in their desires because of the upward inflationary trend.
Buying new clothes is an indispensable part of the celebration. Besides, sweets and firecrackers are required by way of celebration. Houses are also to be decorated with flowers and illuminated with lights. Things are proving difficult with the prices of each of these items showing an upward trend.
Even the price of the sweets has shot up considerably, said Malti Jaiswal, a homemaker. “It is better to prepare sweets at home as the prices of the sweets available at the shops have increased much. Good sweets are costing around `500 to `600 per kg. We can hardly dispense with the practice of exchanging sweets among the near and dear ones,” she said.
“Who doesn’t want to decorate his homeIJ I too want my home being illuminated. But the costing for it going high is dampening my spirit. Electricians are charging Rs 3000 for three days. Besides, I would have to pay by way of electricity consumption. To light the earthen diyas, we need mustard oil. It is proving pretty exorbitant this Diwali season. We are worried,” said Surender Singh who drives a three- wheeler.
Anil who, though shoemaker having a permanent place at the corner of a road, sells earthen pots during the Diwali in order to earn more, said the sale of the pots is low as compared to previous years. This Diwali might prove gloomy for me,” he sighed.