Nagpur traders eye Diwali week, which brings about 30% of the year's business

Nagpur district had a good run from Navratri to Dussehra, and the city's traders are pleased. Bookings have raised their spirits further. They now hope the entire Diwali week will bring them a windfall.

Markets across the bullion, auto, electronics, property, apparel, sweets, decorative goods, utensils and electrical goods sectors are ready. Every effort has been made to attract customers, and the response has been good.

Business is set to pick up from November 1 and will peak on Dhanteras.

Traders say about 30 per cent of the whole year's business happens during this period. That is why they await the Diwali rush eagerly and look forward to the festival with all their energy. Business in a single market is estimated to reach anywhere from Rs 100 crore to Rs 1,000-2,000 crore.

The city's main trading centres are lit up at present. The same festive buzz is seen in Sitabuldi, Itwari, Mahal, Gandhibagh, Dharampeth, Sadar, Laxmi Nagar Chowk, Pratap Nagar, Manish Nagar, Besa-Beltarodi, Jaripatka, Manewada, Dighori and Friends Colony, as well as in the many smaller and larger markets across the city.

B C Bhartia, national president of CAIT, said a positive mood is visible across the country this year. He said customers are eager to shop and buying is good across all items. In his view this is a wonderful sign for the country. He said festival enthusiasm will double, and when business grows, prosperity will follow and benefit everyone. According to Bhartia, the market looks different this Diwali, and a survey of traders across the country conducted by CAIT points the same way.

Dussehra was excellent for the automobile sector. Himanshu Arya of Aaradhya Cars said hundreds of cars and thousands of two-wheelers were sold. Dealers across the sector are upbeat at this. Bookings received so far are another reason for the enthusiasm. He said Dhanteras will certainly shine.

Rajesh Rokde, president of the bullion market, said the market has been excellent and people observed the Dussehra tradition of buying. Gold and silver prices have since fallen considerably. In his view the fall gives customers a good chance to buy. Rokde said wedding purchases will begin from Dhanteras, and all bullion traders are confident of it.