New Delhi, 25 August (H.S.): Trade worth more than Rs 30,000 crore is expected to be generated across India during this year’s Raksha Bandhan festivities, with the rakhi market alone estimated to account for around Rs 25,000 crore.

Praveen Khandelwal, Member of Parliament and National General Secretary of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), said at a press conference on Tuesday that markets across the country, including Delhi, had witnessed a sharp surge in festive shopping with only four days left for Raksha Bandhan.

Major Delhi markets, including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Karol Bagh, Lajpat Nagar, Kamla Nagar, Rajouri Garden, Gandhi Nagar, Khari Baoli and Laxmi Nagar, were witnessing heavy crowds. Markets were particularly vibrant during the evening, with traders reporting that the festive enthusiasm this year was considerably higher than in previous years.

As part of the celebrations, women entrepreneurs, self-help groups and artisans conducted a live demonstration at Khandelwal’s office, showcasing the making of specially themed rakhis inspired by patriotism and nation-building. Women artisans also displayed unique rakhis handcrafted by them.

Khandelwal said demand was particularly strong this year for themed rakhis such as ‘Viksit Bharat Rakhi’, ‘Modi Guarantee Rakhi’, ‘BrahMos Rakhi’, ‘Nari Vandan Rakhi’, ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Rakhi’, ‘Vocal for Local Rakhi’, ‘Bharat Gaurav Rakhi’, ‘Lakhpati Didi Rakhi’, ‘Namami Gange Rakhi’, ‘Rashtra Raksha Sutra Rakhi’ and ‘Amrit Kaal Rakhi’.

He said children and young people were showing exceptional enthusiasm for the ‘BrahMos Rakhi’, ‘Rashtra Raksha Sutra Rakhi’ and ‘Viksit Bharat Rakhi’. Among women, the ‘Nari Vandan Rakhi’ and ‘Lakhpati Didi Rakhi’ were gaining particular popularity, carrying messages of women’s empowerment and self-reliance.

According to reports received by CAIT from trade associations across the country, the rakhi business alone is expected to reach around Rs 25,000 crore this year. In Delhi, the rakhi trade is estimated to be around Rs 4,000 crore.

Khandelwal said that when gifts, sweets, apparel, electronics, decorative items, dry fruits, puja articles and other festive products are included, the total business associated with Raksha Bandhan is expected to exceed Rs 30,000 crore.

Markets have also recorded a notable rise in sales of gift hampers, chocolate hampers, dry-fruit gift boxes, handicraft products, ethnic apparel and traditional sweets. Despite the growing presence of e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms, a large number of consumers continue to prefer shopping at local markets, bringing renewed vibrancy and momentum to the festive trade.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar