New brands flood firecracker market

Adding colour: People purchasing firecrackers at a make-shift stall put-up at Banjara Hills.

HYDERABAD: ‘Wild Hunter’ vies for attention with ‘Golden Word’ while ‘Speed 100’ competes with ‘Hi-tech bomb’ and ‘Terror’.
No, these are not the latest Hollywood action flicks blasting away the city multiplex screens, but firecracker brands that hit the market this Deepavali. While smaller crackers such as ‘Golden Word’ zoom up with illumination, others like ‘Speed 100’ promise to spread a riot of colours in the sky.
There is another cracker called ‘Rang-o-Rang’ which twinkles like stars in the sky and an aptly named ‘Hi-tech bomb’ that goes-off with a deafening roar. There are many other varieties too including ‘Crackling Coconut’ and ‘Feather Pop’ for children that produces sounds of music.
Despite offering a variety of stocks, stall owners are worried over 40 per cent to 50 per cent drop in sales this season following recent floods, recession and awareness about pollution caused due to firecrackers. With customers from flood hit districts, who usually constitute a major chunk, unlikely to make purchases, the business has been affected largely.
Increasing awareness on the environmental effects from firework that affect the sound levels and ambient air quality is keeping the schoolchildren away from such crackers. These firecrackers include ‘hydrogen bombs’, ‘bullet and classic bombs’, ‘atom bombs’ and strings sold as ‘ladis’. Recession also appears to have contributed for the drop in sales.
“We have registered only 28 per cent sales till now when compared to last year’s 63 per cent. Sales may go up to 40 per cent only by Saturday,” said Immadisetty Fireworks Owner I. Pratap Kumar. However, the most sought-after varieties such as sparklers, flowerpots, pencils and rockets will continue to sell more.