Jaipur: New covid sidewalks and bad weather have influenced Sankranti Makar and Lohri celebrations throughout the city.
Aslam Khan, a shop owner in the Kite Market of Handipura, said sales were less than last year.
“Rainfall and rainstone rain has impacted our sales as people can’t go on the terrace to fly kites.
Because of the surge in Corona cases, we have been asked to close our shops with 8.
People usually visit the kite market after office hours, but now they can’t, “Khan said.
Sirajuddin Malik, a kite wholesaler, said the shop owner used for the purchase of goods worth Rs 10,000 not worrying to buy decent kites even Rs 1,000.
“Like people can’t come to the market at night and with only three days for Sankranti Makar, the shop owner isn’t sure if they will be able to sell the existing shares,” he said.
Worried low sales due to covid restrictions, only 15 sellers from Bareilly and Farrukhabad have arrived here and set up shops.
This number is very low compared to the pre-corona era when more than 70 shop owners used to come.
Rizwan Khan, a seller from Bareilly, said they expected a good market this year with economic boom in November and December 2021, but with other waves, their sales fell by 70%.
Meanwhile, Lohri Festival, which was celebrated with Dhols and major meetings, has also been affected and people have decided to celebrate in their homes.
Ravi Naryar, President Pradesh Punjabi Mahasabha, which was used to regulate the largest Lohri celebration in King Park, has canceled the event.
“Our community has decided to only invite limited people and offer respect to God,” he said.