Festive Surge

India’s bazaars have glittered this Diwali with the unmistakable glow of consumer confidence. The country’s festive sales crossed a staggering Rs. 6 lakh crore with goods alone accounting for Rs. 5.4 lakh crore and services contributing Rs. 65,000 crore. More remarkable still, the bulk of this spending flowed through India’s traditional markets rather than e-commerce platforms. After years of economic caution and digital dominance, Indians are once again shopping in person and buying local....

min read

India’s bazaars have glittered this Diwali with the unmistakable glow of consumer confidence. The country’s festive sales crossed a staggering Rs. 6 lakh crore with goods alone accounting for Rs. 5.4 lakh crore and services contributing Rs. 65,000 crore. More remarkable still, the bulk of this spending flowed through India’s traditional markets rather than e-commerce platforms. After years of economic caution and digital dominance, Indians are once again shopping in person and buying local. This reversal owes much to policy. The recent rationalisation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which trimmed rates across categories from garments to home furnishings, has given consumption a timely push. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s September rate cuts, combined with income tax relief and easing interest rates, have strengthened household budgets just as inflation softened. The middle class, long squeezed between rising costs and stagnant wages, has found reason to spend again. Retailers report that shoppers filled their bags with everything from lab-grown diamonds and casual wear to consumer durables and décor, blurring the line between necessity and indulgence. The effect has been broad-based. According to Crisil Ratings, 40 organised apparel retailers, who together generate roughly a third of the sector’s revenue, could see growth of 13–14 percent this financial year, aided by a 200-basis-point bump from GST cuts alone. Small traders too have flourished. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) estimates that 85 percent of total festive trade came from non-corporate and traditional markets, a robust comeback for brick-and-mortar retail that had been under siege from online rivals. This surge signals a subtle but significant cultural shift. The “Vocal for Local” and “Swadeshi Diwali” campaigns struck a patriotic chord, with consumers reportedly preferring Indian-made products to imported ones. Demand for Chinese goods fell sharply, while sales of Indian-manufactured products rose by a quarter over last year. For the first time in years, “buying Indian” has become both an act of economic participation and of national pride. The sectoral spread of this boom underlines its breadth. Groceries and fast-moving consumer goods accounted for 12 percent of the total, gold and jewellery 10 percent, and electronics 8 percent. Even traditionally modest categories like home furnishings, décor and confectionery recorded double-digit growth. In the smaller towns that anchor India’s consumption story, traders say stable prices and improved affordability kept registers ringing late into the festive weekend. Yet, much of this buoyancy rests on a fragile equilibrium. Inflation remains contained, and interest rates have been eased, but both could tighten again. Sustaining this spurt will require continued fiscal prudence and regulatory clarity, especially as digital commerce continues to expand its reach. Yet for now, the signs are auspicious. After years of subdued demand and inflationary unease, India’s shoppers appear to have rediscovered their appetite for consumption and their faith in domestic enterprise. The result is not only a record-breaking Diwali, but a reaffirmation of the local marketplace as the heartbeat of India’s economy.

The Prince Poised To Inherit Kohli’s Crown

Waleed Hussain
Jul 6
3 min read

Picture this: a packed stadium, the air thick with anticipation, and a young man with a boyish grin strides to the crease. Shubman Gill, with his floppy hair and effortless swagger, looks like he just walked out of a Bollywood movie, ready to script a blockbuster. As India’s cricketing faithful pin their hopes on this 26-year-old prodigy, it’s hard not to feel a lump in the throat. Could this be the heir to Virat Kohli’s throne? The answer, my friends, is a resounding yes. Gill isn’t just a batsman; he’s a vibe, a hope, a future painted in bold, emotional strokes.

Natural heir

First, let’s talk about the elephant in the room—Kohli’s legacy. Virat Kohli isn’t just a cricketer; he’s a phenomenon. The man who chases runs like they owe him money, who wears his heart on his sleeve, and who’s turned Indian cricket into a global juggernaut. Replacing him is like trying to replace the sun—good luck with that, right? But here’s where Gill steps in, not as a replacement, but as a natural heir. He’s got the technique, the temperament, and—dare I say it?—the charm to carry the mantle. Watching Gill bat is like watching a masterclass in elegance, with cover drives so smooth they could make a poet cry. His 104 off 92 balls against Australia in the 2023? Pure poetry, with a side of swagger.

Now, let’s get emotional. Kohli’s journey has been India’s journey—grit, passion, and a refusal to back down. Gill, born in Fazilka, Punjab, carries that same fire, but with a millennial twist. He’s the kid who grew up idolizing Kohli, probably mimicking that iconic beard in front of a mirror. Yet, he’s carved his own path. His 208 off 360 balls in a Test against New Zealand in 2023 wasn’t just a double ton; it was a statement: “I’m here, and I’m ready.” That innings had everything—patience, aggression, and a twinkle in the eye that said, “I’ve got this.” It’s the kind of knock that makes you want to hug your TV and whisper, “You’re our boy, Shubman.”

Bollywood hero

Humor me for a second. If Kohli is the fiery Bollywood hero who storms into battle, Gill is the cool Gen-Z protagonist who wins the war with a smirk and a selfie. His Instagram game? Stronger than most bowlers’ bouncers. He’s out there posting gym selfies and travel vlogs, connecting with fans in a way that feels fresh yet familiar. Kohli brought intensity; Gill brings relatability. He’s the guy you’d want to grab a chai with, chatting about cricket and memes. But don’t let the laid-back vibe fool you—when he’s at the crease, he’s all business, dissecting bowlers with the precision of a surgeon and the flair of a rockstar.

What makes Gill the perfect heir, though, isn’t just his runs or his vibe. It’s his ability to carry a nation’s hopes without buckling. Kohli’s era was about proving India could dominate; Gill’s era will be about sustaining that dominance with grace. His 91* in the 2021 Gabba Test chase was a glimpse of that future—a young gun standing tall amid chaos, guiding India to a historic win. It’s the kind of moment that gives you goosebumps and makes you believe in destiny. Gill doesn’t just play cricket; he tells stories with his bat, stories of a new India—confident, fearless, and a little cheeky.

Not perfect

Of course, he’s not perfect. He’s had his share of ducks and near-misses, like that heartbreaking 99 against South Africa in 2024. But isn’t that what makes him human? Kohli wasn’t built in a day either. Gill’s learning, growing, and every time he walks out to bat, you can feel a nation holding its breath, rooting for him like he’s family.

He’s got the hunger, the skill, and the heart to take Indian cricket forward, not as Kohli 2.0, but as Shubman 1.0—a unique blend of grace, grit, and a grin that could melt even the toughest fast bowler’s heart.

So, here’s to Shubman Gill, the prince poised to inherit Kohli’s crown. He’s not just carrying a legacy; he’s building one, one cover drive at a time. And if that doesn’t make your heart swell and your lips crack a smile, well, you’re probably not watching closely enough.

(The writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai.)

1 Comment

billyy brown

Jul 11

Seeing Shubman Gill emerge as the promising successor to Virat Kohli really brings a new sense of excitement to Indian cricket. It’s impressive how this young talent carries the weight of expectations with such poise and skill. In today’s sports landscape, engagement goes beyond just watching—websites like https://batery.org.in/ offer legal and licensed platforms for those interested in sports betting, providing access to numerous events and games in a regulated environment. It’s crucial to approach these platforms responsibly, keeping entertainment as the main goal. As for Gill, his solid technique and calm presence indicate he’s ready to take on the challenge, though only time will reveal how he adapts to the pressure. Watching this shift between cricket legends is captivating and…