Ahead of the 75th Independence Day, wholesale and retail shops in Delhi are facing acute shortage of Indian flags due to huge demand.
Shops in Sadar Bazaar, Gafar market and retail shops are in full swing, as they are receiving more than 70,000 orders of the national flag per day from schools, government offices, RWAs and private retailers. "We are running short of flags even though our manufacturing units across Delhi are working round-the clock," said Vishal, an owner ofa wholesale shop in Sadar Bazaar. He added that he had to cancel a few orders in the last few days due to the unprecedented demand of flags.
Several shopkeepers echoed that the government's Har Ghar Tiranga Camapign has resulted in a humongous increase in sale of the Indian flag. The campaign has ignited a feeling of patriosim amongst citizens by urging them to hoist the national flag.
Another wholesale dealer, Sanjay said that they are daily receiving bulk orders of 25,000 to 50,000 from schools and government ministries. He said that it has become difficult to takethese huge orders coming at such short notice. "It would be better if orders are placed well-in advance, so that our production units get sufficient time to manufacture the flags," he added.
Apart from retailers, people are also flocking the markets to purchase flags, hand bands, caps, umbrellas and other decorative items coloured in tri-colour
A customer who had came for purchasing flags said they will be decorating their confectionary in Lajpat Nagar with the tri-colour flags ahead of Independence Day. Another buyer, Nandani Verma, a teacher in government school said that they were buying 2000 Indian flags to be decorated in each classroom of their school in New Friends Colony.
To address the huge demand of flags, the Indian Post Office has also roped in and is now providing the National Flag at `25. The customer can place their order via the E-post office portal and the tri-colour would be delivered to the nearest post office.
A shop-keeper, Ashok in Sadar Bazaar said that the prices of flags have increased by 50 per cent due to shortage of supply. "This year flag of dimension 18 by 20 cm is being sold for `25 each in the wholesale market while previous year the same flag was being sold at `15," he added. The paper hand flags used by children and bicyclers are now being sold at `10- 20 while last year they were sold at `5 each.
Ashok added that their manufacturing unit in Rohini is working day and night to meet up with this sudden increase in orders and government tenders.
Despite the escalating demands, there has been no supply of flags and other trifles from China, as nation-made flags are being promoted in the market. The fabric of the flag is made of satin or roto fabric, and the flag handles are made of wood though some plastic handles are also seen. Flags made of khadi-cloth are more expensive costing between `30 - 40 per flag.