There’s no skimping on Diwali sweets

VASHI: The prices and demand for sweets days before Diwali seem to flouting the basics of economics. Despite prices of most sweets having shot up by Rs20- 25 as compared with last year, there seems to be no effect on the demand.

According to most businessmen, the main reason for this rise in price of sweets is the hike in milk prices over the last year. However, this has not deterred customers, for whom, sweets form an integral part of the festival.

Siraj Saigal, who works at KK Sweets in Koparkhairne, said, “The increase in prices of sweets will not matter to people because Diwali is that time of the year people don’t believe in skimping.”

The most popular sweet, like all other years, is kaju barfi which is made of cashew nut powder and sugar. Gulab jamun is yet another popular option.

“We also get orders for rava laddoos, which is basically fried semolina mixed with milk. Pedas, too, are an integral part of Lakshmi pujas,” said Saigal.

According to Vinayaki Tevar, who works at Shri Krishna Sweets in Vashi, “The festive mood is incomplete without mithai. So Diwali becomes synonymous with sweets. Any Diwali gift will be incomplete if not accompanied by a box of sweets.”

Tevar, too, confirmed the hike in prices. “Although prices of all sweets have increased as compared to the previous years, there has been no reduction in demand. We have received pre- orders for more than 500 boxes from corporate offices.” Mysorepak milk sweets, halwa, kaju sweets, badam halwa, pista rolls and mawa sweets are in most demand, she said.

“Like every year, we have ordered 40 kg of sweets despite the inflation. Diwali is not the fit time for skimping,” said Charanjeet Kaur, a customer purchasing sweets from Jhama Sweets.

BACHCHAN KUMAR Despite the high prices, Navi Mumbaiites kept the tradition of Dhanteras alive by buying gold in small quantities on Friday.