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Correspondent

23 August 2024 at 4:29:04 pm

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....

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. 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.

Unconditional Love, Endless Sacrifice: The Essence of Motherhood

Whether called Amma, Aai, Maa, Mom, or Mummy, a mother embodies unconditional love, serves as her daughter’s first role model, and is the one in whose lap paradise rests.

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A little girl who is the 'pari' or 'Gudiya' of the house, whose every little wish is never left unfulfilled, grows into a young woman who leaves her parents to begin life with a partner—a turning point filled with growth and learning.


She soon embraces motherhood joyfully, after the trials of pregnancy and labour. All hardship is forgotten the moment she holds her creation in her arms. Tears of joy and a deep sense of pride arise with the title of 'Mother'. The role ahead—filled with emotions, challenges, and responsibilities—she undergoes a profound shift. Her freedom, identity, goals, and social life all take a back seat. The sacrifices she makes, both personal and professional, are often beyond imagination, all for the well-being of her children and family.


Motherhood is the biggest blessing, and a mother is the only selfless person who loves her children the moment they choose her womb and are born.


She produces a new life within her and brings it to this world. How amazing the feeling is! Inexplicable indeed!


Essence of a Mother

Unconditional Love: A mother showers love on her children unconditionally, and offers care, support, and nurturing throughout her life—selflessly and unwaveringly.


Patience: She understands the different stages of her child's growth with immense patience, empathy, and emotional resilience.


Acceptance: She accepts her children as they are, without judgement, celebrates their strengths, supports them through their weaknesses, and guides them to grow into better individuals.


Sacrifice: A mother often places her children’s needs above her own, creating a safe, loving environment for their happiness. She may silence her own voice to empower theirs, enduring transitions quietly to build a future where her children walk tall with dignity and pride.


Forgiveness: A mother is the epitome of forgiveness. She recognises mistakes, forgives with a full heart, and welcomes her children with a warm embrace, offering them a second chance without hesitation.


Communication: She maintains open and honest communication, guiding her children with concern and wisdom so they may navigate life’s complexities without falling prey to deception.


Nurturing: She strives to create a healthy, safe, and stable environment that supports her child’s mental, emotional, and physical development, laying a strong foundation for lifelong well-being.


Encouragement: Inspired by the Bhagavad Gita —“Do your prescribed duty. You are not entitled to the fruits of action”—a mother encourages her children to pursue their interests and passions, celebrating their efforts and achievements, while instilling in them the value of hard work over the mere pursuit of results.


Quality Time: She makes time for meaningful interactions, engaging her children in thoughtful discussions that teach decision-making from an early age. She acknowledges their emotions, reassures them, and prepares them to face life’s challenges with courage and wisdom, nurturing a strong and lasting mother-child bond.


Role Model: A mother embodies honesty, humility, respect, and values. She adapts her parenting, learns from her children, and isn’t afraid to admit mistakes and apologise, setting a powerful example of integrity and accountability.


Setting Boundaries: While encouraging her children to adapt, a mother sets clear rules and boundaries to ensure discipline and safety, helping them understand the consequences of their actions with firmness and love.


How Can Children Repay Their Mothers?

While children can never truly "repay" a mother’s love and sacrifices, they can show and offer:


Gratitude and Appreciation: Respecting her views and choices, understanding her perspective, and engaging in heartfelt conversations bring comfort.


Financial Support: Providing financial support acknowledges her lifelong efforts and sacrifices.


Emotional Support: Being emotionally present in her later years offers comfort and peace.


I was blessed with a mother who was the pillar of our family. A government school teacher for 35 years in a conservative town, she had a progressive mindset well ahead of her time. In a place where speaking to men was frowned upon, she enrolled me in a co-educational school and college, undeterred by criticism.


She passionately spoke of women’s empowerment, economic independence, self-respect, dignity, and gender equality—values that are her greatest legacy. As the mother of a teenage daughter, I hope to pass these values on so she too can stand tall and fearless. It is the most precious gift I can offer.


Let’s walk beside our children, guiding them through life’s phases and celebrating their growth with pride.


Celebrate your journey as a mother, acknowledging the challenges, milestones, and triumphs. Motherhood is a powerful force, shaping responsible, compassionate beings for the world.


Happy Mother’s Day!


(The author is an educator based in Thane.)

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