Image via chennaionlineshopping.com
For the first time ever, Sivakasi’s famous Standard Fireworks has announced that they will not be setting up firecracker stalls in the state of West Bengal this year, the reason being tight competition which could lead to huge losses for the company.
“It is very unfortunate, but we regret to inform that we will not be setting up stalls at West Bengal this Diwali. Surely, all of you have been keeping up with the recent news of what’s happening in the state and when people are so freely able to manufacture the real deal, there will hardly be a market for people like us who make up and sell petty firecrackers. After hours and days of deliberation over the matter, our management has come to a conclusion that we ought to avoid West Bengal this year. Especially Burdwan. An absolute no-no! Hopefully, by next year, if these manufacturers are no longer around, we can consider coming. Happy Diwali, folks!” read out a statement issued by the company.
The Trinamool Congress, however, dismissed Standard Fireworks’ boycott as a non-issue. “Big deal! I was anyway planning to ban most firecrackers since they’re all red in color. I would’ve only allowed the blue Lakshmi Bomb, the green atom bomb and may be the yellow sparrow ones. The red 500-walas and 1000-walas would’ve anyway not been allowed at all,” said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. TMC spokesperson Derek O Brien, too, didn’t spare the occasion to trade barbs at the company, tweeting, “#DereksChallenge Q1. To those in West Bengal only: Name one manufacturer of Diwali firecrackers. (Hint: You heard one for the first time today).”
Standard Firework’s decision, however, came in for all-round praise from Times Of India consulting editor, Sagarika Ghose. “Very relieved and thrilled to hear about Standard Fireworks backing out from my home state! Now, if only they could cancel on all other states too and encourage a noise-free, environment-friendly, crackerless Diwali!” tweeted the former CNN-IBN deputy editor.