AHMEDABAD, SEPT 26: Two days to go, but the mood is not as upbeat as you might expect. Navratri might be round the corner, but you would not think so if you went by the mood of both the garba organisers as well as the public.One reason could be that enthusiasm for the festival is on a gradual decline. The municipal and panchayat elections - bringing in violence in it's wake, the recession in the market as well as the demolition of illegal shops and eateries at Law Garden have further dampened the Navratri spirit this year, say old-time enthusiasts.And a directive by the Police Commissioner, restricting the use of loudspeakers and blaring music after 1.30 am, is being seen by many as an attempt to ``snuff out'' life from the festival for ``the fun actually begins after 1 am.''However, with the commercialisation of Garba being ``near complete,'' party plot organisers continue to hold Garbas, despite the fading popularity. The entry fee per person ranges between Rs 20 and Rs 100 at different parts in the city.The police say that people still seem preoccupied with the elections, as counting is yet to begin. ``Moreover, the cases of violence in Dariapur and other areas contribute to the sombre mood,'' says an officer.Ashok Mahendru, organiser of Silver Oak Club Mohatsav 2000, a commercial Garba plot on Gandhinagar-Sarkhej Highway, says the slump in the market is the main reason for the decline. ``The recession has led to the reduction in the number of garbas,'' he says.However, enthusiasts disagree. Amit Shah, a second year college student, says, ``Interest in Navratri has decreased only because of the restriction on timings.The Commissioner also issued a separate directive barring collection of donations for Navratri from people on the roads. There were complaints from various quarters during the past week that volunteers have been intercepting vehicles and asking them to contribute money for Garba programmes.
