By Pavan Kumar Pateel
BENGALURU: The people of Karnataka are all set to celebrate Ugadi — which marks the beginning of the Hindu lunar New Year — on Saturday for the first time in two consecutive years without fear of an impending Covid-19 breakout.
Covid struck Karnataka in early March 2020 and a nationwide lockdown was implemented from March 22, three days before Ugadi (March 25). Last year, Karnataka was plunging headlong into the second wave of Covid infections when Ugadi fell on April 13.
Ugadi festivities were low key and restricted to indoors for two years. But this year, most Covid-19 curbs have been lifted in Karnataka and people are back to celebrating the New Year Day with fervour.
“We celebrate Ugadi every year and our entire extended family gathers on the occasion. Due to the Covid situation, there were no get-togethers the last two years. Now, it’s time for us to experience Ugadi gaiety at home. The joy of buying new clothes, festival food and spending quality time with family is unmatched,” said Kusuma Shetty BY, resident of Banashankari.
According to the Bengaluru Wholesale Cloth Merchant Association, business has improved by leaps and bounds this Ugadi. “For the past two-three years, there was no business. However, the impact is still there in the market. Also, the festival is falling during exam season, which has dampened the shopping mood. But compared to the past two years, business and footfall are up 75%,” said Prakash Pirgal, president of the association.
“In the past one week, our old customers have returned. Though the rates have gone up, we don’t want to impose a heavy burden on them. We are doing business on a no-profit-no-loss basis. The footfall is up,” Yashas Keerthi, a silk sari merchant at Chickpet, said.
With the festival falling on the weekend, the transport sector is prepared for an uptick in demand. KSRTC will run 600 additional buses on April 1 and 2.
