For bitter or worse

Arvind Budhani of the famed Budhani Bros,on M G Road offers,“Our main attraction is our potato chips so we’ve managed to keep sales stable in spite of the sugar problem. But even if our sales had taken a big hit,we would’ve still not resorted to increasing the prices of our mithai and other eatables as this is the festive season.”

Sometimes location and easy accessibility do play a big role in softening the blow to sales by the terrible twin maladies. As Parekh puts it,“Our shop is located at a prime location in Rasta Peth; hence,people have no difficulty in finding it.”

In fact,Tarun Athwani of Karachi Sweet Mart,Camp,claims that at this point of heightened pandemonium thanks to the spread of the epidemic,people are afraid of stepping out into crowded areas like Aurora Towers,M G Road,where Athwani’s shop is situated,“People have a fear of venturing out into the streets and especially into places teeming with people for they think the virus is immensely contagious.” Athwani says this year’s Ganesh festival has been the worst ever in terms of purchases made.

“We have never witnessed such low sales at this time of the year. Add to it the rapid upward trend in sugar rates and it is the stuff of nightmares. If prices keep inflating like this in the future as well,then it certainly poses a major problem for us.” Nevertheless,mithai-makers are coming up with innovative ways to allure customers during this dire period of mass panic.

“We have six-seven varied types of modaks,the seasonal favourite and also known as the delicacy closest to the Elephant God,” Athwani asserts. “Other than the different types of modaks,some of which include kesar,malai and kaju,we also have some unconventional sweets like chocolate fudge,mawa mithai,whole nut and dry fruit-heavy treats,besides our main attraction,the mouthwatering kaju pista toast!”

Sounds like a delicious method of bringing in greater number of potential buyers. And no matter how grim the current state of affairs may appear to be,the sweetshop business owners absolutely refuse to give in to misery and declare defeat.

As Tarun Athwani states in a matter-of-fact manner,“What can be done about these conditions? It is totally out of our hands. And it isn’t only my business which is getting affected,so there is no point in whining about it. All we can do is pray for things to improve soon.”