Kolkata, Oct 21 (IANS) For decades, exchanging sweetmeats with relatives, friends and loved ones has been an integral part of traditional Bengali culture on Vijaya Dashami, the day when idols of Goddess Durga are immersed, marking the end of the four-day Durga Puja festivities.
Sweetmeats also form an essential part of the rituals associated with bidding farewell to “Maa Durga” as “Daughter Durga” on this auspicious occasion had been a part of the traditional Bengali culture for decades.
However, this year, soaring milk and sugar prices have left middle-class Bengali households feeling the pinch during the festive season.
Sweetmeats that were available for as little as Rs 10 to Rs 15 apiece until last year are now being sold at Rs 20 to Rs 30, nearly double their earlier prices.
“Sweetmeat prices usually rise slightly every year on this occasion because of the high demand and the festive spirit. But this year, we have been forced to increase the prices of popular varieties such as Rasgulla and Sandesh because of the exorbitant rise in milk and sugar prices just before Durga Puja,” said Bivu Das, owner of a popular sweetmeat shop in south Kolkata.
Sweetmeat prices had already been raised by Rs 2 to Rs 5 per piece before Durga Puja. However, shopkeepers have increased them further on Wednesday, taking advantage of the traditional surge in demand on Vijaya Dashami.
“On Wednesday, prices have been raised further because of the high demand. Another factor is that we had to increase the daily wages of sweetmeat makers before Durga Puja, keeping in mind their needs amid rising inflation. This has also contributed considerably to the price rise,” said Sashi Ghosh, another sweetmeat shop owner in north Kolkata.
Despite the steep increase in prices, the traditional Bengali fondness for sweetmeats during Vijaya Dashami appears undiminished. Families continue to make arrangements for the customary exchange of sweets, treating the occasion as an opportunity to reconnect with relatives and friends.
“Vijaya Dashami is an occasion when relatives, friends and loved ones come together, setting aside differences and misunderstandings that may have continued throughout the year. Sweetmeats are an integral part of these ‘sweet’ reunions. This year, the rising prices have forced me to exceed my budget for the celebrations, but I have not cut back on the arrangements. After all, I will have to wait another year for this occasion,” said Dolon Sengupta, a homemaker.
–IANS
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