Bijapur, Oct 22: An overwhelming majority of middle and lower class families will slash their festive budget this Diwali season as they struggle to cope up with their monthly expenses due to rising inflation and less job opportunities.
According to reports, preparations are underway for the celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the globe.
Observed across Country, the festival of Diwali is a unifying event with different significance but equal importance in many communities.
In the Hindu tradition, the celebration commemorates the return of Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, from his 14-year exile.
From the Sikh perspective, Diwali is celebrated as the return of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, from the captivity of Gwalior City.
The Jain celebrates the Nirvana of Lord Mahavira, who established the dharma as they follow it. For all, it is a time of hopeful and renewing spirit, celebrated with music, dance and sweets.
The skyrocketing prices of essential commodities have left the “aam admi” hard-pressed. Be it sweets, dry fruits, crackers, pulses, dairy products, fruits, or vegetables, prices have registered large increases this year compared to the Diwali last year. Even gold, the much sought after item during this festive season, stays in the range of Rs 30,000 per 10 gm compared to Rs 22,000 last Diwali.
The reports revealed the high income group remains unaffected from rupee fall, double digit food inflation. However, a large number of lower and middle income groups indicate that they are finding ways to cut back spending now or indicating they will do so in the future.
Majority of respondents said that they plan to spend fewer amounts on this festive season as the prices on average of most of the gifts and traditional Indian sweets have gone high.
“People are coming to the market but are buying much less than before. Women used to buy two-three garments for Karva Chauth and same numbers for diwali, but this time, most customers are settling for just one for the festival,” said a shop keeper.
The festival is round the corner and average class people are somehow managing funds for the whitewash and crackers. Though the inflation has spoiled fun of festival but still the people are busy in cleaning their houses and making sweets, so as to celebrate the festival of lights in a traditional way but in budget.