Pune: This year’s Ganesh festival has brought smiles on the faces of traders dealing with glitter paper and fancy curtains from Bhori Ali. For decades their businesses were severely affected due to rampant use of thermocol. However, with the ban on thermocol, these traders are a happy lot.
Sakal Times did a spot visit to Bhori Ali to find out alternative ways for decorations this Ganesh festival. During the visit, it was revealed that till last year thermocol decoration business was in full swing and had severely affected other businesses owing to cheap rates and easy availability of thermocol decorations.
Manish Bafna, trader of glitter paper at Bhori Ali, said, “Till last year we used to purchase glitter paper of Rs 20,000 only but this year due to the growing demand we have sold glitter paper worth Rs 50,000.”
Moiz Chopadawala, another trader of glitter paper at Bhori Ali, said, “The ban on thermocol has suddenly increased the demand for glitter paper. The thermocol decorations and makhars are still available in the market, even after being banned. However, there are many who are not purchasing these makhars and looking for some other options. These people are purchasing the glitter papers to stick on the walls or any other eco-friendly decorations or makhars.”
On similar lines, Sunil Oza, a trader said, “This year we are happy that our products are getting a huge response from the people. Glitter paper comes from various parts of the country including Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata and some from China. Varieties of glitter paper including handmade, satin, marble, patang, fluorescent, tinted and several other are in huge demand in the market.”
Along with glitter paper, fancy curtains are also in huge demand this year. Ramesh Kumar, a trader of fancy curtain at Bhori Ali, said, “These fancy curtains come from China mostly and we purchase them from local traders. One metre of the curtain costs Rs 60 and people are purchasing it, as they have no other option due to the ban on thermocol makhars and decorations.”
Muzafar Qureshi, another trader of fancy curtains said, “This year we have already sold fancy curtains worth Rs 70,000 which is higher than the last couple of years. The thermocol makhars and decorations were getting all the market share. We are again going to purchase these curtains from the local market as there is a huge demand. In a day we are selling curtains worth Rs 5,000.”
The thermocol ban has given a boost to other items required for Ganesh festival which were earlier neglected. The traders of these items are happy this year as they are earning their livelihood as per their
expectations.
