Cracker sales dip,school initiatives get ‘credit’

Ask him why he thinks sales have dropped so considerably,he says: “It’s because people are concerned about pollution these days. Some people have stopped buying crackers because of their smoke and noise.”

Agrawal seems to be right,as a newly-released survey by Assocham says Diwali sales of firecrackers have dropped by 20 to 25 per cent in metros and big cities across the country because of more environmental consciousness. This,according to the study,is to be attributed particularly to anti-crackers campaigns launched by schools.

“Many schools across urban India have made their students take oath during the morning assembly prayers that they won’t burst crackers and enjoy a safe and an eco-friendly Diwali,thereby doing their bit to save the planet,” says the survey conducted by the ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation (ASDF),which interacted with about 150 schools and over 1,000 schoolchildren in 15 cities,including Chennai,Delhi,Mumbai,and Pune,among others. The survey was conducted from October 1-30.

“Though there has been a general rise of 10-15 per cent in crackers’ prices,the decline in their demand is being mostly attributed to growing awareness among children who have pledged to shun firecrackers,” says D S Rawat,secretary general of Assocham.

Prasad Dashrath,owner of Sahakarnagar Fataka Mart in Sahakar Nagar,agrees that rising prices have little to do with the decreasing firecracker sales. His opinion on the real reason behind it,however,differs from that of Rawat. “Prices have been rising for every commodity across the market,and ultimately people will want to celebrate,so I don’t think that’s the reason. This year,the Diwali holidays have been declared so late that people have not had time to go out and shop,” he says.

Dashrath,who also owns a clothes store,says sales have been slow there too. “People haven’t had time to make the major purchases such as clothes,electronics and jewellery yet,and they will only think about firecrackers once all the other important things have been bought,” he says.

The Assocham study says illegal import of firecrackers from China too is hurting the industry.

The domestic firecracker industry,which the study estimates to be worth over Rs 1,500 crore,has been struggling to maintain figures.

Zubair Sayyed of Kharadi-based India Fire Works,however,says while sales were slow in the first week,the pace is slowly picking up. “I think sales will be the same as every year by the end of the festival. I might even do better than I did last year. This year,there are lots of innovations such as whistling rockets and musical crackers,and people are curious to try them out. These days,people wait until the last minute to prepare for festivals,so you can’t really tell how the sales will be until then,but I think things look positive.”