Question

Will corona impact the festival season? (article writing)​

Answer 1

Answer:

The pandemic has changed the manner of celebrating festivals all over the world, including in India. People recently observed many festivals such as Bihu, Baisakhi, Puthandu, Vishu and Odia new year while staying indoors.

- PM Modi

NO GLITTER ON AKSHAYA TRITIYA

Meanwhile, Akshay Tritiya witnessed deserted jewellery markets this year as they remained closed amid the lockdown today. Goddess Lakshmi and Lord are worshipped to grant worshippers wealth, prosperity and success. It is believed that buying gold, jewels and gemstones is a sign of luck and prosperity and Goddess Lakshmi blesses the devotees with wealth and happiness in return. However, the jewellers are facing a hard time now as the festival which provided one of the largest margins yearly is hardly being talked about this year.

According to Raj Kumar Khandelwal, owner of Sanwariya Jewellers at Pashchim Vihar, "The sales are at an all time low this year. Since people are inevitably indulged in buying the necessities, jewellery shopping is being given the least priority. Akshay Tritiya, Karwa Chauth and Dhanteras are the festivals wherein, we make the most of yearly sales but, it has been really challenging this time. Our business is incurring huge losses."

Ramzan this year is taking place while we are in the midst of the battle against Covid-19. Let’s take the right precautions today so that the coming Id-Ul-Fitr can be marked in the same way as it has been done earlier.

- PM Modi

Pankaj Arora, National Convenor, All India Jewellers & Goldsmith Federation said, "The business which usually records an investment of almost 2500 corores is likely to witness 600 crores this year. It's a really difficult situation where physical jewellery shopping is not possible. Generally, people don't buy gold unless they buy it from jewellery stores since it calls for a significant amount of investment. Gold prices are already at an all time high this time as the prices have touched 47-48 thousand per ten grams which is the lifetime high we're witnessing now. However, in the Indian context, people buy gold anyway to follow the traditions and culture despite the prices.

According to Aradhya Khanna from Gemselections Pvt limited, "To keep up with this unprecedented situation in the country we are providing gemstones, gold and silver at EMIs and the customers can book it for any token amount, the minimum being `100."

SIMILAR CONDITION IN MUMBAI

"We are expecting the business to go down by 90% and rest 10 % will happen online. We are giving 5% discount on making charges and it will be delivered once the lockdown will increase. The price of gold is more than what it was last year and its rising," Kumar Jain, vice president of Shri Mumbai Gold Jewellers Association.

Explanation: