Patna: Firecrackers named after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his political rival and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad and his wife and former chief minister Rabri Devi, and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan are selling briskly in Bihar ahead of Diwali.
From Nitish bombs, Nitish rockets to Lalu bombs, engines and rockets, Rabri "charkha", Rabri "phuljhari" (sparklers) and Ram Vilas bombs are in high demand this year, and as in politics, jostling for supremacy among themselves.
"They are the first preference for people, more popular than those named after film stars and cricket players," said Rakesh Kumar, a shopkeeper selling crackers near the railway station.
"Lalu bombs are giving a tough time to Nitish bombs in the Patna firecrackers market and in other district headquarters," added Umesh Singh, another shopkeeper selling crackers here. Firecrackers named after Paswan are a new entry this year. "It is also in demand," Wasim Ali, a wholesale agent of firecrackers, said.
Tough challenge
Recalling the years when the firecrackers named after Lalu-Rabri brand outsold all others, he said: "The high sales of the Lalu-Rabri crackers were the accepted index of their popularity among the people till a few years ago but now Nitish brand is giving hot competition to them."
Citing the high sales of firecrackers named after their party chief and his wife, RJD leaders said the couple may have been voted out of power in the state but there seems to be no end to the people's affection for them. Shopkeeper Faizan Ansari said that popular names do help in raising the sale of the items and firecrackers named after these politicians catch the fancy of the customers. Another shopkeeper also said items named after celebrities were raking in good business.
Caution : Tips for a safe festival of lights
It's the festival of lights and with all the lamps lighting up homes and crackers boosting excitement levels, revellers have been advised don't ignore simple steps of caution.
The Delhi Police yesterday said that while lighting firecrackers — which must be done in an open space — water buckets or sand bags should be kept nearby in case of any mishap. "Infants must be kept away from fire crackers and children should be accompanied by elders," a Delhi police official said.
Randeep Guleria, head of medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences added: "Several burn cases are reported during Diwali and people should be careful while lighting diyas and bursting crackers."
— IANS
