Demand for crackers down 32 pc: Report

November 11, 2012
Crackers

Kolkata, November 11: Amid increasing concerns over noise and air pollution, this year, the demand for crackers and fireworks have decreased by 32 per cent, according to a report.

"Celebrations this year may be cleaner, greener and noise-free as the year-on-year (y-o-y) searches for fireworks and firecrackers saw the biggest decline at 32 per cent," a a report by e-commerce platform for small businesses, Alibaba.com.

The report was collated from analytics data of the website from October 2011 through 2012.

Stating that Indian consumers are becoming more conscious environmentally, Alibaba.com India Country Manager Khalid Isar told PTI, "Having witnessed global searches and enquiries, we believe that this is a mirror of global trends. As environmental concerns grow, Indians too seem to be taking steps in the right direction."

On other reasons behind the decline in demand of firecrackers, he said, "There have always been concerns over safety. Further, with the global economic slowdown, it is a possibility that consumers may be reluctant to spend extravagantly on firecrackers".

Over the last couple of years, there has been a gradual shift for eco-friendly celebrations. Right from using recyclable, biodegradable materials to create Ganesh statues or using eco-friendly colours during Holi, Indians have been increasingly looking at environmentally friendly ways to celebrate.

According to some market reports there has been an increased influx of eco-friendly crackers this Diwali.

The Alibaba.com report added that during the festive season India has emerged as the second largest supplier market after China and fifth largest buyer market worldwide for Diwali related products.

Traditional buyer markets such as the US and the UK led the overall demand for these products at the B2B portal. The US is the top buyer market for Indian suppliers constituting 23 per cent of inquiries, it said.

Indian manufacturers also supply locally with the country being the second biggest buyer market with 17 per cent, followed by the UK at 8 per cent of inquiries. Other buyer markets of Indian Diwali related products include Australia, Canada and France.

According to the report, searches for ethnic clothing on Alibaba.com went up by 21 per cent in the last 12 months.


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News Network
July 31,2020

New Delhi, Jul 31: Air India has operated more than 2800 flights and flown over 3 lakh passengers worldwide till now under the Vande Bharat Mission.

"Air India under Vande Bharat Mission Operated more than 2800 flights and flown more than 3 lakh, 80 thousand passengers worldwide till now," Air India said in a tweet on Thursday.

The fifth phase of the Government of India's 'Vande Bharat' mission, aimed at evacuating Indian nationals stranded in various foreign countries owing to restrictions on air travel, will begin early next month, August 1.

"Under Vande Bharat Mission, we have already brought back more than 2.5 lakh stranded Indians from 53 commies," Air India had earlier said in a statement.

Over 7.88 lakh Indians stranded abroad due to coronavirus pandemic have returned under Vande Bharat Mission till July 22, Ministry of External Affairs had said.

The government started Vande Bharat Mission on May 7.

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News Network
June 16,2020

New Delhi, Jun 16: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday said that he has been hospitalised after suffering from high-grade fever and a sudden drop in his oxygen level.

He tweeted to inform that he was admitted to the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital (RGSSH) here, a dedicated COVID-19 facility under the Delhi government.

"Due to high-grade fever and a sudden drop of my oxygen levels last night I have been admitted to RGSSH. Will keep everyone updated," Jain tweeted.

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Agencies
May 28,2020

Kochi, May 28: In these pandemic times, when the businesses are gravely affected and the MSMEs are particularly feeling the heat, a Kerala institute has come up with an initiative to help the distressed industry. The Institute of Small Enterprises and Development (ISED) has come out with a unique platform -- 'business clinic' for extending advisory services to the COVID-19 affected MSMEs in the state.

The Kochi based ISED's multi-disciplinary team of experts will offer free guidance to entrepreneurs to make a self-evaluation for improving their performance.

It will serve the interests of the MSMEs, entrepreneurial aspirants, such as the returning migrants, start-ups, educated unemployed, and women entrepreneurs.

ISED director, PM Mathew said COVID-19 pandemic has shattered the budgets and operations of most SMEs, globally, as also in India.

"Post-lockdown, the operational problems are likely to get aggravated. Beyond the broad macro level projections and debates, it is now time to act at the grassroots level. Many entrepreneurs need appropriate clinical assessment, and moral and psychological support, said Mathew.

According to the work force participation data at the national level, Kerala is ranked 31 in terms of the number of self employed, and placed in second rank in relation to the size of casual labour.

The Kerala Enterprise Development Report, brought out by the ISED states while the number of the unregistered enterprises is sizeable, constituting 76.85 % of the total, the respective share of registered MSMEs is only 9.53 %.

The constraints to these enterprises today are, poor sales, large inventory, delayed payments, damage of stock, wage bill arrears, unreliable labour supplies, fund diversion due to exigencies, GST related problems, and NPA/poor credit score.

"For all businesses, unlike in a sporadic recession in the economy, the danger today is circular and cumulative. Both from the demand side, and the supply angle, there is a serious contraction of business activities, which essentially means a glut in the cash flow. Corporate businesses, obviously, will come out of the mess due to their relative advantages of high reserve funds, liberal credit offerings, and easier access to alternative sources of finance," said Mathew.

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