Inflation dampens devotees' spirit in Navaratri

Jalandhar, April 11: Many devotees, who are observing fast during Navratris have not been able to enjoy the festivities this time due to high price of commodities, as inflation has touched a record high of 7.4 per cent in India.

During Navaratri, many people observe fast and only take a specific non-cereal diet "Phalahaar" a fruit meal or some people take one meal. But with skyrocketing prices of fruits and vegetables, the devotees are dejected how to survive with such high prices. People take milk products such as plenty of curd and cheese. But this time around milk products are too expensive to buy in good quantity on daily basis.

"It has become tough to keep fasts with increasing inflation. All of us have observing Navaratri fasts. This year the rates of everything have increased almost up to twice as compared to last year. The Navaratri food is costing more than the other food. The Government should lower rates and do something about it. Although the middle class families can still manage with it to some extend but for the lower class, it has become a tough fight," said Radhika Patil, one housewife.

"Due to inflation, we are facing more problems with the lady customers. The price of everything has raised due to which their monthly expenditure has also increased," said Sanjeev Kumar, a shopkeeper.

Shopkeepers are dejected due to less number of customers.

"There has been a lot of difference in the prices this time as compared to last year. Flour, fruit, potato, everything now has almost double increase in its prices," said Balwinder Kaur, a local.

Wheat flour that was rupees 40 per kilograms a week ago has now shot up to rupees 70.

Among fruits, banana prices are as high as rupees 35 a dozen, in contrast to rupees 20 a week earlier. Grapes are available at rupees 40 per kilogram, apples are rupees 70 per Kg that is almost the double of what it was a week earlier at rupees 40.

ANI