Soaring prices not to dampen spirit
The Ganpati festival is just a few hours away. Unlike last year when festivities were toned down in the aftermath of July 26 floods and the epidemic that claimed nearly 1,000 lives, Mumbaikars will celebrate the festival in full swing, albeit with...
By Indra Bhadra, TNN |
MUMBAI: The Ganpati festival is just a few hours away. Unlike last year when festivities were toned down in the aftermath of July 26 floods and the epidemic that claimed nearly 1,000 lives, Mumbaikars will celebrate the festival in full swing, albeit with their belts fully tightened. Prices of Ganesh idols and other important ingredients like fruits, flowers and sweets are soaring this year. Organisers of hundreds of Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals around the city and suburbs may not feel the pinch as they run the show on public donations. But devotees who celebrate the festivals at home, will have to shell out more for every item.
Small idols, that account for nearly 90% of total production are in great demand. And a demand-supply mismatch is the reason behind the price hike, say market sources. Retail prices of the idols is up by 20-25%. “A sharp rise in the cost of inputs like plaster of Paris, jute and colour have led to the increase,” says Satish Sawant, who has opened a makeshift studio in Vashi.
The small version of the idol shot up to Rs 55 from Rs 42 a year ago. Similarly, medium-sized ones fetch Rs 450 against last year’s price of Rs 320. The price of bigger idols have jumped by Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,500. Many idols are ferried from Pen to different parts of the city. As there is no authority to fix prices of idols, idol makers and retailers are exploiting the situation, lamented a housewife in Vashi.
Idol makers, on the other hand rue the rise in studio rentals, where they give the finishing touches to idols. “I am paying Rs 21,000 for my studio compared to Rs 15,000 last year,” says idol-maker Sunit Hazare in Vashi. Prices of fruits like apple, banana, sweetlime have also spiralled, but not entirely for Ganesh festival. “After 33 years Ganesh Utsav and Ramzan have come close to each other,” said Uttamchand Vasani, VP of APMC Fruit Merchants Association. Both the occasions demand fruits and hence prices have gone up, he added. “Modak and Ganesh festival go hand-in-hand. Demand for modak will pick up once the celebration begins,” said Ramesh Gupta, owner of Shivekripa Sweets. However, prices have gone up by 10%, he admits.
All in all, though Mumbai will echo to chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya, at the same time citizens will surely look for a helping hand from Lord Ganesh, the “vighna harta” (remover of obstacles) to make the festival a real success.
Small idols, that account for nearly 90% of total production are in great demand. And a demand-supply mismatch is the reason behind the price hike, say market sources. Retail prices of the idols is up by 20-25%. “A sharp rise in the cost of inputs like plaster of Paris, jute and colour have led to the increase,” says Satish Sawant, who has opened a makeshift studio in Vashi.
The small version of the idol shot up to Rs 55 from Rs 42 a year ago. Similarly, medium-sized ones fetch Rs 450 against last year’s price of Rs 320. The price of bigger idols have jumped by Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,500. Many idols are ferried from Pen to different parts of the city. As there is no authority to fix prices of idols, idol makers and retailers are exploiting the situation, lamented a housewife in Vashi.
Idol makers, on the other hand rue the rise in studio rentals, where they give the finishing touches to idols. “I am paying Rs 21,000 for my studio compared to Rs 15,000 last year,” says idol-maker Sunit Hazare in Vashi. Prices of fruits like apple, banana, sweetlime have also spiralled, but not entirely for Ganesh festival. “After 33 years Ganesh Utsav and Ramzan have come close to each other,” said Uttamchand Vasani, VP of APMC Fruit Merchants Association. Both the occasions demand fruits and hence prices have gone up, he added. “Modak and Ganesh festival go hand-in-hand. Demand for modak will pick up once the celebration begins,” said Ramesh Gupta, owner of Shivekripa Sweets. However, prices have gone up by 10%, he admits.
All in all, though Mumbai will echo to chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya, at the same time citizens will surely look for a helping hand from Lord Ganesh, the “vighna harta” (remover of obstacles) to make the festival a real success.
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