In Dadar, sellers are waiting for buyers on this Diwali.
Bombay:
Diwali is the busiest time for these vendors at Dadar Market – in the heart of Mumbai. But due to coronavirus-induced restrictions and booming online sales, sellers are waiting for buyers. For them, this Diwali may not be happy.
Jankabai, 60, a resident of Vashi, the satellite city of Mumbai, comes to Dadar every year to sell lanterns during Diwali. It’s a season for business, but this time she’s worried. There are no clients, she said.
“Business was good last year. But this year there is no business at all. Nobody is coming to buy anything,” Janakabai Kale said, voice sad.
Sitting across from her was Dyandev Gurav, another lantern vendor who echoed this sentiment. He’s been with the company for 20 years, but says the situation is unprecedented this time around.
“Since the morning, only three customers have bought a lantern. Normally, at that time, 10 to 20 people a day would have surrendered,” he said.
Every year, Diwali is the busiest time for Dadar market in Mumbai. It is experiencing massive attendance in the 10 days leading up to Diwali. Small traders and roadside vendors take advantage of the festive joy by doing business that is worth crores.
Hoping that the sales would come closer to the festival, Raju Gupta, who sells rangolis and lamps, bought material worth Rs 10,000. Now he is extremely anxious.
“Previously, Diwali was good,” Raju said. “This time the conditions are bad. I don’t even have 25 percent turnover. Previously, every day I was selling goods worth Rs 5,000-6,000 but this time I see barely 800 rupees a day. am I going to spend my Diwali now? ”he added.
Even clothing stores are seeing a 75 to 80 percent drop in business.
Dinkar Gawde, a trader in business for 40 years, said: “Before, a lot of customers came to Diwali. This year there is no train so no customers.”
