BHUBANESWAR: The weekend shutdown may cast a shadow on the celebration of Raksha Bandhan for the second year in a row. With the rule still in force in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri, people are worried about not being able to visit each other on the occasion, which falls on a Sunday this year.
Shopkeepers, too, apprehend that with the markets shut on weekends, they may miss out on the profits from the last-minute sales of rakhis and other items.
“People usually buy sweets, fruits and goodies in the 11th hour. But with weekend shutdown restrictions in some cities, including the state capital, business will be affected. We have been selling extra stuff on Friday in view of the weekend shutdown and the festival,” Bimbadhar Behera of Nimapada Sweets said.
Seasonal shopkeepers in other markets were hoping for some relaxations ahead of the festival to help their business. “Everything has returned to normal. There have be no sales in the last few months owing to the successive lockdowns. I hope the government eases the restrictions so that we can make some money,” Kartika Sahu, who sets up a shop at Unit-4 market for Rakhi, said.
With public transport like buses and auto-rickshaws largely off the road during the weekend, many people may be forced to stay at home and celebrate the festival virtually.
“I stay at Lingipur and my brother is in Patia. Without public transport, it would be difficult for me to visit him to tie the rakhi. The festival is not just about tying the rakhi, but also having a family get-together when our other siblings join the celebrations,” Suchitra Sahu, a homemaker, said.
