Mysuru: This year’s Deepavali was cheerful for the vendors and wholesalers as they recorded a massive business compared to previous two years. Deepavali being one of the important festivals to Hindu community, people were seen thronging shops at various locations across the city to purchase crackers.

The sale of crackers was such that, most of the shops had to purchase additional stocks from the wholesalers to meet the demand of the customers. Meanwhile, Hebbal Industrial Area was abuzz with activities with people all over the city and surrounding towns arriving in large numbers to buy crackers.

People were seen arriving in large numbers at cracker shops on JLB Road in Chamundipuram, J.K. Ground, Bhootale Ground, Bogadi, Kuvempunagar and other locations. The sale of crackers in the shops that began on Oct. 28 ended on Nov. 3. 

This year, the authorities had instructed to sell only green crackers and so did the vendors. The cracker boxes had barcodes and symbol to confirm them being green crackers.  This year, cracker varieties were more compared to previous years. With a lot of rules being in place for the bursting of crackers, one had thought the sales would not be of expected level. However, with people thronging the shops and godowns in large numbers the sales were more beyond expectations.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Bhaskar of Santosh Crackers, said that the business this year was double than the expectations and added that the sales was not only good for the stockists, who are open throughout the year, but for all vendors including those who had opened stalls in various localities.

Four injuries reported

Compared to previous years, the number of burn injuries during Deepavali has come down with only four cases between age group of 8-13 years reported from the district. While two cases were reported in Mysuru  city, one each case was reported in H.D. Kote and Pandavapura in Mandya district. Among four cases, three were treated as outpatients and one patient is being treated at K.R. Hospital.

13-year-old Chandan, a resident of Mysuru, who sustained burn injuries in his eye as a cracker burst, was rushed to K.R. Hospital. Speaking to Star of Mysore,  Ophthalmologist Dr. Shobha, said that the patient underwent successful surgery and was being kept under observation.