‘Fix your poverty mindset’: Financial advisor explains how Gujarat turns Dussehra into a crores of business

India is celebrating Dussehra on October 20. While in different part of the country it is celebrated differently, in Gujarat Dussehra celebrations is synonymous to fafda and jalebi. Now, as per financial advisor, Prem Soni, Gujarat offers more than festive food and family traditions. He believes the occasion also reveals the state’s entrepreneurial spirit. In a post on X, Soni claimed that the sale of Gujaratis' favourite sweet and savoury snacks, jalebi-fafda sales across the state could exceed crores in a single day, with Ahmedabad alone accounting for Rs 200 crore. He highlighted Gujarati's business mindset, especially during festivities.

Gujarat’s jalebi-fafda market could cross Rs 500 crore on Dussehra

Soni took to X to share his estimate of the scale of Gujarat’s jalebi-fafda trade during Dussehra. The financial advisor made claims that Gujarat may end up generating more than Rs 500 crore in sales. and Ahmedabad alone may contribute Rs 200 crore in a day. As per a TOI report from 2024, snacks and sweets worth Rs 200 crore were consumed in Ahmedabad on the day of Dussehra.

According to Prem Soni, those working in corporate jobs also participate in the festive rush, sometimes taking the day off to run temporary stalls. In his post, Soni described a hypothetical regular 9-to-5 employee setting up a temporary business and generating a few lakh in sales. He contrasted this with people spending the public holiday relaxing, highlighting how the festival creates opportunities for those willing to make the most of the demand.

The festive rush

Soni also pointed out how different sectors like gyms, grocey stores, clothing boutiques or even jewellery shop's owners take advantage of the festivities and set up temporary stalls to sell jalebi-fafda on Dussehra. It shows their persevering mindset and the willingness to pursue another revenue opportunity. He argued that Gujarat’s commercial success is not simply a matter of privilege, but also stems from an ecosystem in which people are willing to put aside their egos to earn money.

‘Fix your poverty mindset’

Soni urged people tp focus on developing their own business instincts. Calling for a shift in attitude, he encouraged people to abandon their ego and learn how to do “dhandho”, a Gujarati term commonly associated with business and trade. His central argument was that entrepreneurial opportunities are not limited to large companies or established business owners. Even a temporary stall during a festival, he suggested, can become a significant source of revenue for someone willing to participate in the market.