Blooming business

T P Venu

A day ahead of Varalakshmi Puja, Monda market was a beehive of activity. People from all over the city made the annual customary visit to the slush laden roads amidst cows, buffaloes and chaos. Flower sellers who have been complaining of the lack of business seemed a happy lot as flower business invariably blooms around the time of Varalakshmi Puja. Mountains of chrysanthemums (chamanthi), marigolds (banti) and different coloured roses greeted customers. The rate for smaller sized chrysanthemums was Rs 80 for 250 grams. Orange and yellow coloured marigolds were sold for Rs 100 a kg. Krishna, a seller said, “We do good business during this time. But we are unable to supply lotus flowers in large number as the stocks did not arrive on time.”

Veeramma another flower seller said, “The profit margins are dwindling. There was a time when we would have 50 per cent profits but now-a-days it is difficult. My daughters who used to assist me in making jasmine garlands are no longer interested in selling flowers.” One yard of jasmine flowers cost Rs 25. Most of the flower sellers in the city depend on the Gudimalkapur market. “We buy flowers and sell them with just 10-15 per cent margin. Business is good only during festivals and marriage season. This year though, we are making good profits,” says Balamma who has been in the business for over 20 years.

Banana leaves too are a huge hit during the Varalakshmi puja. A pair cost anywhere between Rs 60-100 depending on the size and condition. Mahesh a seller at Neredmet said, “Most of the lakes dried up and the few which did receive inflows drowned all the lotus flowers so we have less stock, it is for the first time that i am just selling banana leaves.”
Gudimalkapur and Jambagh market are the spots where all the sellers pick up loads of flowers.They said that most of the flowers come from Shamshabad and Karnataka.