JOIN USShopping picks up pace; fruit, vegetable prices skyrocket
Festive shopping before Ganesha Chaturti was slow on Tuesday with shopkeepers hoping for better footfalls towards the evening and on Wednesday. Markets were not as crowded as expected because many private companies functioned on Gowri festival.
Prices of essential commodities like vegetables and fruits had shot up ahead of Ganesha festival.
Mahesh, a fruit seller in the Malleswaram market area, said prices of all fruits had gone up at least by Rs 20. Apples cost Rs 120 per kilo, pomegranate Rs 180 and custard apple Rs 60.
With few customers in the morning, he hoped there would be more people coming in the evening or on Wednesday morning. “But on the whole, this year, my sales have been satisfactory,” he said.
Important commercial areas like KR Market and Gandhi Bazaar witnessed some frenzy while preparing Ganesha pandals. Idols ranging in height from five feet to 20 feet were lined up along the stretch of RV Road, all set to be taken to their destinations. Policemen were busy controlling crowds that grew bigger towards the afternoon. Resident welfare associations along with regional associations set the mood for merriment, making elaborate plans for a cultural fiesta through the week.
Among migrants celebrating Ganesha festival in Karnataka, events organised by the Odisha Puja Committee have been popular for more than a decade.
This year the committee has invited Bollywood singer Krishna Beura along with Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka.
Amitabh, president of Odisha Puja Committee said the group had been celebrating Ganesha festival for the last 14 years. He said they catered to the interests of more than 10,000 Oriyas in Bangalore. This year, they expect a bigger crowd.
SC guidelines
For the festivities to be environment-friendly, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike has issued guidelines to the public not to put up plastic or polythene buntings and banners, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s guidelines.
The Palike has requested people to park vehicles at a distance from the lakes during idol immersion so as to reduce pollution and to also cooperate with the civic body till the lakes are cleaned after the festival. As many as 88 points are identified for immersion of small idols. The Palike has also issued a ban on selling meat on festival day.