The demand for national flags has spiked in the city following Operation Sindoor.
Credit: DH PHOTO/PUSHKAR V
Bengaluru: Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists, some restaurants in the city are witnessing fluctuations in sales and footfalls.
PC Rao, President of the Bangalore Hotels Association, told DH that although it is too early to quantify the dip in business due to the tensions, many hotels are reporting a decline in foreign tourists and business meets. "Foreign visitors are now thinking twice about visiting India. Star hotels and establishments near popular tourist spots will be affected due to the current situation. But darshinis won’t see much impact,” he added.
Additionally, as an indirect consequence of the heightened security measures, a popular brewery in JP Nagar saw more than 180 reservations cancelled out of 310 following the suspension of the IPL match.
However, another major brewpub in the city reported that it was too early to gauge the impact on business. “I can only tell you once the weekend is over,” the manager said.
Show of solidarity pumps up flag purchases
Some flag shops in the city have recorded a 10% to 15% rise in sales over the last few days as citizens, institutions, and political groups purchase the tricolour in a show of solidarity with the Indian Armed Forces and the victims of the Pahalgam attack.
The manager of a flag shop in Cottonpet said a private college ordered 1,500 flags on Thursday as they planned to hold an event in support of the Armed Forces. “There have been more inquiries about the flag since Thursday,” he added.