Cracker markets crop up in Lucknow with stocks from Delhi and NCR
The author is the correspondent of the New Indian Express in Uttar Pradesh.
Email: namita.bajpai@newindianexpress.com
Cracker of a time for consumers
Delhi’s loss is Lucknow’s gain? With Supreme Court banning the sale of crackers in Delhi-NCR, special markets for crackers have cropped up in Lucknow with stocks from Delhi and NCR also turning to a foothold in the market. Consumers, of course, are the winners in this glut. There, in fact, are imports everywhere. While idols made in Bengal, Rajkot, Kolhapur and even China have flooded the market, on jewellery shops a range of Ganesh-Lakshmi idols costing Rs 1200 to Rs 6 lakh have been imported from Mumbai.
A woman mayor for UP’s capital
Lucknow will have a woman mayor. The seat of the state capital has been reserved for women. At present, Suresh Awasthi is the officiating mayor as Dr Dinesh Sharma has become the deputy CM. With the conclusion of delimitation, now the political circles are abuzz with activities for the mayoral polls, tentatively slated for November. While Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh will have a final say in BJP candidate as the prospective replacement for Dinesh Sharma, Congress candidate will be decided by Delhi high command. Regional party heads have already started inviting applications.
Metro’s avenue for revenue
The launch of Lucknow metro has opened up other avenues of revenue. Film and TV serial producers will now be able to shoot in the metros trains. Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation has okayed the policy to allow shooting of films against a payment of Rs 2 lakh per hour in metro trains, Rs 2 lakh per hour on metro stations and Rs 3 lakh per hour for shooting at station and trains both. Producers will have to get the slots for shooting booked in advance and will have to guarantee that their shooting schedules will not disturb the passengers.
Surreal evening in Dewa
Hosh walon ko khabar kya, bekhudi kya cheez hai..., originally sung by Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh, was present by singer Kamal Khan at annual Dewa Mela, in the neighbourhood, at the shrine of Haji Waris Ali Shah recently. An event which attracts a galaxy of Bollywood personalities and singers is an all time hit among local populace. Khan made the evening soulful and audience glued to chairs by belting out choicest Ghazals. Zindagi jab bhi teri bazm mien laati hai humien, yeh zamin chand se behetar nazar aati humein....