Kolkata: Sale of Tricolours has dipped by almost 25%-30% this Republic Day, said flag wholesalers and retailers in Kolkata.
According to traders, several local political outfits, clubs, blocks and other non-government organizations exhausted their budget buying flags and other related merchandise on Monday, subsequently curtailing budget for other celebrations.
The celebration of the Ayodhya programme had triggered brisk sales of flags, festoons and sweets across markets in Kolkata.
“The sale of Tricolours is down by at least 25% compared to last year,” said Rohit Gupta of Novelty Stores on Old China Bazar Street in Kolkata’s central business district. Novelty Stores is one of the biggest wholesalers of flags in eastern India. “This year, the focus was on the ceremony in Ayodhya and there was large-scale purchase of the saffron flags, festoons and uttariyas. Our retailers in the city and the suburbs did not pick up large quantities of other flags,” said Gupta.
Shashi Singh of Shashi Textiles on Madan Mohan Burman Street in Burrabazar said the retailers had picked up a large number of flags for the Jan 22 ceremony.
“According to our estimate, sale of Tricolour is down by almost 30% this year. This year, there was huge demand for other flags. Naturally, retailers stocked those flags. It fetched us good returns,” said Singh.
“Several people and outfits who celebrate Jan 26 elaborately every year have toned down celebrations this year. As a result, sale of the Tricolour has dipped this Republic Day,” said Ganesh Agarwal of Ganesh Stores on MG Road.
The secretary of the residents’ association of a gated community of 120 apartments in Kankurgachhi said they have curtailed Republic Day celebrations this year. There will be a flag hoisting ceremony but the entire complex will not be decorated with small flags.
Mehul Pachisia, the secretary of the housing complex, said: “This year, residents decided to utilize the budget for the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya. Such events rarely happen.”
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