There might be fewer ‘rockets’ and ‘bombs’ this Deepavali. Firecracker sellers in the city say growing awareness about a ‘pollution-free’ festival of lights has overtaken the enthusiasm for bursting firecrackers. At the same time, shopkeepers offering mud lamps and paper lanterns are doing brisk business.
Dhankoti, a firecracker vendor who is one among many to set up a temporary stall in Ram Mandir grounds in Rajajinagar, said sales have seen a gradual decrease with each passing year in the recent past. He complained that business had been affected “adversely” due to two reasons: growing public awareness about pollution caused by firecrackers and the weather dampening enthusiasm among customers.
But vendors are losing hope yet, hoping for sales to pick up as the festival nears. Mr Dhankoti said though sales had fallen drastically, some enthusiasts are looking out for novel firecrackers every year.
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The lukewarm response seems to have affected the variety of firecrackers too. Compared to previous years when customers always had new variants to look forward to, there are fewer new entrants this year.
Some of the new varieties that have caught the fancy of children this year include Colour Smoke Fountain’ – a firecracker which bursts into a colourful fountain of smoke when lit, Happy Birthday – which resembles a cake and when lit, plays music and lights up, and sparklers with a whistle.
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But Vinay Ravi, a customer, said though the new varieties are innovative, they are expensive. “Rates have shot up while the rebates have come down,” he complained.