Inflation dampens Eid Miladun Nabi celebrations

Streets, houses remain devoid of decorations due to soaring lighting, power prices

RAWALPINDI:

As Jashan-e-Miladun Nabi approaches, the prices of colourful and electric lights have skyrocketed in the open market, reaching record highs.

The price surge has also led to a significant increase in the cost of decorations, with decorators raising their charges by 500 per cent compared to last year. The exorbitant prices have resulted in an overall shortage of celebratory lights in streets, neighbourhoods, houses, shops and markets across the city, threatening to dampen this year's celebrations.

The high price of electricity has also dampened the celebrations. With only two days left in Jashan-e-Milad, the number of lights around the city remains low. Notably, government buildings and mosques, Imambargahs are being lavishly decorated with lights, but the same enthusiasm is lacking in streets, neighbourhoods and private homes.

It is worth noting that the open market for lights has been overwhelmingly dominated by Chinese lights, with a staggering 90% market share, compared to a mere 10% for Pakistani-made lights. Among the Chinese offerings, electric lights are available in a wide range of colourful designs.

These small, intricately designed lights come in 10 to 12 different colours, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene when lit up at night. However, their price too is very high this year.

Temporary stalls selling lights have been set up in various markets, including the Chinese Market, Nirankari Bazaar, Bara Bazaar, Raja Bazaar, Liaquat Road, and Bani Chowk, to cater to the demand for lights. These stalls remain open throughout the night, offering a range of lighting options.

The prices of Chinese lights vary depending on the type and quality. A string of plain Chinese lights costs Rs200, while a string of colourful lights is priced at Rs350. Premium multi-coloured lights are selling for Rs500 per string. Additionally, 100 feet of colourful flags are priced within the range of Rs1,500 to Rs 2,000.

The small colourful Chinese lights are very delicate. Approximately 30 to 50 per cent of the stock is damaged or destroyed due to rain and strong winds, while another 30 per cent was rendered unusable after becoming damged during unloading. It is because of their fragile nature that most citizens treat these Chinese lights as disposable items.