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JAMSHEDPUR: Traders in the Steel City said they have cumulatively lost Rs 150 crore on Akshaya Tritiya, which is observed on Thursday this year, because of the ongoing health safety week, a partial lockdown, to curb the rising cases of Covid-19 in the state
Ramesh Agarwal, who owns a jewellery shop at the Sonari market here, said: “Every year, we had a tough time handling crowds on this auspicious day. However, the picture has changed completely since last year. The national lockdown last year and the partial lockdown this year in the state have kept the ornament shops out of business.”
Ritesh Kumar, another jeweller, said, “Like Dhanteras before Diwali, we wait for Akshaya Tritiya when we witness the maximum footfall. But the pandemic has badly hit our trade.”
Akshaya Tritiya is also considered auspicious for marriages but with the cap on the number of guests, marriage hall owners were badly hit. According to local estimates, marriage hall and tent house owners are facing Rs 75 crore loss on this day. Moreover, florists, music bands and DJs are also losing around Rs 30 crore.
Normally, more than 250 big weddings took place in the city on Akshaya Tritiya and people have to book halls and hotel rooms well in advance. But since the last two years, people in these businesses are unable to get any customers.
Moreover, vehicle showrooms are also facing loss as people love to buy new cars and two-wheelers on this day. Usually, new vehicles are seen lined up outside temples where the owners perform pujas after their purchases. This year, there are hardly any devotees outside the closed temples.
According to the traders, they were not able to do much business during the Eid festival too.
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