New Delhi: The four-day Chhath Puja celebrations kickstarted on November 5, 2024, i.e., Tuesday. The festival is considered very auspicious and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the people from Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and some parts of Uttar Pradesh, especially the Purvanchali communities. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), keeps a track of the festive sales, has mentioned that the Chhath Puja festivities would generate approximately Rs 12,000 crores in trade across the country. During Chhath Puja festival, people observe fast and worship both the setting and rising sun.
CAIT said the Chhath festivities will be celebrated by approximately 150 million people across the country. Commenting on the Chhath festivities, CAIT national president, BC Bhartia, said that besides Bihar and Jharkhand, Chhath Puja is celebrated in a grand scale in Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Odisha, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Vidarbha.
Delhi has a big Purvanchali population, which celebrates Chhath Puja on a grand scale. Markets across the national capital, including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Tilak Nagar, Pitampura, Rani Bagh, Ashok Vihar, Shalimar Bagh, Model Town, Uttam Nagar and many others are witnessing a huge rush as people are flocking the markets to buy Chhath Puja essentials.
Purvanchalis residing in the above mentioned states, contribute a big amount to the local economy. According to CAIT, items like banana leaves, sugarcane, bamboo baskets, fruits, vegetables, and sweets are in high demand.
For the last few days, people were seen flocking to their nearby markets to buy dresses like kurta-pyjama, dhoti, lehenga-chunni, sarees, salwar-kurta. The sales have benefited several local traders and small-scale industries. The traders body said handmade products are in high demand.
CAIT Secretary General and Member of Parliament, Praveen Khandelwal, said that people are buying local goods thus giving impetus to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ call.
“Chhath Puja is not just a religious festival but an integral part of Indian culture, reflecting social unity and dedication. It also boosts trade and directly benefits local producers, reinforcing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) vision,” Khandelwal said.
