Mumbaikars are ready to celebrate the vibrant festival of Navratri with full gusto, and shopping, of course, is on the agenda! But, playing party pooper is ‘price rise’!

Price rise is playing a crucial role in the budgets that are being made for the upcoming festival and is stopping several Mumbaikars from indulging in a shopping spree. Not just Navratri, there’s also Durga Puja followed by Diwali. And, shopping (for clothes, jewellery, gadgets, appliances, etc) is an integral part of family celebrations for any festival or occasion.

Expressing his sentiments on the impact of the price rise is Milind Vanarse, a Kumbharwada resident. “Price rise is affecting our pockets. During festivals, we have to think twice before spending money. It’s important to keep a tab on your finances and not get carried away while spending so that you don’t mess up your financial planning.”

The Vanarse family has been celebrating Navratri at their home for the last 40 years. The family has seen many changes over the years when it comes to Navratri celebrations. “Of course, price rise has been the biggest culprit when it comes to shopping for Navratri. Not just shopping for clothes, but even prices of fruits, flowers, grocery and vegetables have reached new highs,” he added.

Speaking about how the Vanarse family is dealing with price rise, Milind said, “Now we are getting used to price rise, no matter who runs the government we have understood that inflation won`t go anywhere. Rather than whining about it, we need to work around it. And that’s what we have been doing. Saving more money apart from your monthly expenses is the norm. Then there’s online shopping, where we get heavy discounts on many products; e-commerce is a bliss.”

The soaring prices of essential commodities have left family budgets in tatters, turning life into a living hell, is what an array of homemakers and working women lamented in unison.

Darpana, a Girgaon resident, said, “We have to think twice before spending money and plan our monthly expenses in accordance with the festive seasons.”

Her family has been celebrating Navratri at home since the 1960s. Speaking about changes which she has seen over the years in Navratri celebrations, the 47-year-old said, “The biggest change we have seen over the year is a lesser number of people visiting each other’s homes for such celebrations. Earlier many people used to come for arti and havan but today the number has dwindled. This is also because people are more occupied with their own stuff and things they need to take care of.”

Shedding light on how the price rise is affecting Navratri celebrations, she said, “My father-in-law started these Navratri celebrations at home. We have been celebrating it in the same manner. The same amount of fruits, flowers, and prasad is offered to the Goddess. The only difference is the budgeting, which changes as inflation rises. There was a time when no thought was given to monthly finances. But, now, we keep money, especially for festivals.”

At the receiving end of the price rise are owners of small businesses and street vendors. “Business is not as it used to be. People are thinking twice before buying anything. Price rise is not just affecting people but us as well,” rues a street vendor, Mannu, who sells fruits. 

The jumping prices of essential items, such as pulses, edible oil, food grains, etc and the reduced purchasing power due to the pandemic have impacted both consumers and shopkeepers.

Anuj Pandit, a Matunga-based retailer, said, “The prices of spices, and pulses went up during the lockdown and the same can be seen in rates of oil. The oil which earlier cost Rs 100 per litre is now selling for almost Rs 170. And, the problem is customers question us over the sudden rise when we have no control over it. We have also noticed that the purchasing capacity of a customer has reduced by almost 50 per cent.”

While the impact of the surge in inflation is no doubt leaving a dent in Mumbaikars’ pockets, there`s also hope that someday the situation will improve. Hearts and doors are open to welcome the Goddess, as they were for Ganpat Bappa. And, soon, the echoes of firecrackers will reverberate across the city!

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