JAIPUR: The pandemic has taken a toll on the sale of flags during Republic day. Prior to Covid, wholesalers used to sell 1.5 lakh tricolour but now the sale has dipped due to the lockdown and closure of educational institutions.
“Hawkers who sell flags on the streets are our biggest customers these days. They sell flags at traffic signals or from temporary roadside shanties. Last year, we used to supply flags across Rajasthan and nearby states as well. But all the business is shut because schools and colleges where Republic day was celebrated are also closed,” said Lokesh Aggarwal, owner of Chhagan Lal & Sons, a wholesale shop at Tripolia market.
All educational institutions, offices and private clubs, which usually hoisted the national flag at their campuses on the occasion, are shut due to the pandemic, which has adversely impacted the sales. Till last year, students and people attending private parties used to purchase these flags, which has now gone down to zero.
A flag shopkeeper in Ajmer said that their main source of income is political party flags during elections. Currently elections in UP, Punjab and other states are giving a good business to flag makers in Rajasthan.
Pappu Lal, a flag seller at JDA circle, said that last year, he earned around Rs 3,700 by selling flags at traffic signals. “Earlier, people used to purchase flags for their school going children but now schools are closed. This year sales are down and I fear if I will be able to sell all the products I purchased,” said Lal. Majority of women in slum areas of the city who were hired to make tricolour flags earlier are now completely dependent on stitching political party flags due to elections.
