Sparkles not so bright for traders

PATNA: Mohd Allauddin has a shop in Patna City, which sells confectionery items throughout the year. But every Diwali he takes a break from his regular business to sell firecrackers. In fact, it''s just crackers and nothing else for most of the shopkeepers in Patna City for nearly 15 days before Diwali.
It''s not just profit. To many, it''s the tradition that matters."My family has been living here for the last six generations and my forefathers have bequeathed this tradition to me," says Allauddin. Fact is the profit margins have come down considerably in the last few years. "Now, it has even become difficult to realise even the investment," he laments.
For a business that is surviving in the name of tradition, the prospects are not as bright as the sparkle of firecrackers. Though tradition has survived the onslaughts of time, modernity has failed to take roots with very few new entrepreneurs opting for the firecracker business.
"Last year, it rained during Diwali and as a result many retailers were unable to sell the stuff they bought from us. So, this year the demand from retail shopkeepers is very low," says Naushad, another wholesaler.
Retailers from north Bihar are also not turning up as the region''s economy has been shattered in the wake of severe floods this year, says Ram Babu Yadav, one of four dealers in the city.
Even as the taste for firecrackers has been changing rapidly, the business is passing through its worst phase, say shopkeepers. Earlier, people bought crackers for the sheer thrill of listening to their sound but now crackers emitting light are in great demand. However, the sale has plummeted, says Ram Babu.
Strict measures enforced by the administration have also led to some traders folding up their business.