india

Updated: Oct 18, 2017 19:40 IST

When Rahul Saxena walked into a cracker shop in Allahabad this week, all he wanted was for his fireworks to stand out in his neighbourhood this Diwali. The 19-year-old walked out with a big box of “Notebandi anars”.

“Bombs, rockets, ‘chakris’ and ‘anars’ with political themes are really alluring. I managed to convince my parents to go for one box of ‘Notebandi anars’ costing Rs 5,000. I am sure it will stand out this Diwali in my locality as each one is supposed to last for at least three minutes,” Saxena, a student of Allahabad Degree College, told Hindustan Times.

Traders say such quirkily named crackers – GST Kaala Saanp (A cracker named after the goods and services tax introduced in July) and ‘Notebandi phus phus anars’ (demonetisation ‘anar’) -- are ruling the Diwali market in some districts of Uttar Pradesh.

A number of firecrackers have also been named after politicians like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.

Then there are other loud bang-emitting crackers such as ‘Yogi chetavani chatai’, ‘Akhilesh bomb’ with the tagline ‘Dikh Raha Hain Dum (Can see the might)’, and ‘Chamakta sitara anar (Shining star anar)’ with a big photograph of Rahul Gandhi.

GST and demonetisation-themed firecrackers at a shop in Allahabad. (Sheeraz Rizvi / HT photo)

“Firecrackers inspired by GST and ‘Notebandi’ are catching people’s attention but they are far from cheap,” said Karam Illahi ‘Munna’, a wholesale dealer who has put up a stall on Allahabad’s Anglo-Bengali School ground, one of the designated spots for selling fireworks.

‘Yogi chetavani chatai’, for example, comprises 15,000 pieces of loud bursting crackers, is 80-metre long and costs Rs 22,000. GST-kala saanp comes with a guaranteed 510 colourful bursts in the sky and costs Rs 15,000 while ‘Notebandi’ anars are selling at Rs 5,000 for a box of six.

Similarly, ‘Akhilesh chatai bomb’ is available for Rs 1,800 per packet and is sure to keep bursting for at least half-an-hour.

“Though sales are poor this year, these crackers are accounting for 20-25% of our business,” said Rajesh Seth, a trader.

Cracker traders in Kaushambi district also claimed these GST and demonetisation-themed wares were attracting many takers.

“I had brought a few cartons of these firecrackers from neighbouring Allahabad and much to my surprise they seem to have caught the fancy of locals here. Right since this morning alone I have sold 15 packets from just onwe of my retail shops,” said Manish Kesarwani.