PUNE: The demand for thermocol decorations for Ganesh festival is up like never before this year as most people are boycotting Chinese goods such as lanterns, lights and coloured paper. Instead, they are buying thermocol articles that are supposed to be 'Made in India'.
Markets in the city, specially in Raviwar Peth and Laxmi Road, were flooded with Puneites for buying decorative items for the festival on Thursday.
Ganesh More of Crown Papers in Bohri Aali in Raviwar Peth told Sakal Times, "People are not buying Chinese goods such as lights, beads, papers, lanterns and light balls for Makhars (small temples or canopies). Instead, people are buying smaller products such as stars, flowers, etc. that are made of thermocol. Thermocol pillars have a big demand. All Chinese goods that we bought six months ago have been lying in our stores as people are not ready to buy the stuff."
Thermocol is available in a variety of designs and mouldings. One can use these products differently by decorating them in several ways. This is another reason why shopkeepers and customers have been preferring thermocol.
"Thermocol offers more scope for creativity. Thermocol decorative items come in new and better designs and shapes according to current trends. This attracts more people," Mustafa of Hatimi Papers from Bohri Aali said.
"Ashtavinayak images, flowers, fruits, Oms, Rajkamal Paris, peacocks, elephants, horses, mice, etc. made from thermocol are popular among Puneites," More added.
BOHRI AALI'S NARROW LANES CHOCK-A-BLOCK
Two days ahead of the Ganesh festival, city markets are teeming with people. People have been flocking to markets to buy decoration items, sweets and other things. Owner of a medical store in Bohri Aali said, "There is so much rush here and the streets are so narrow. We have bikes, cars, cycles, autorickshaws and even tempos, besides hundreds of people walking in these narrow lanes. This has also affected our business."
