New Delhi: With Dhanteras traditionally bringing a rush of customers and some of the year’s best business, shopkeepers in Delhi’s Gaffar Market were hoping for a great Friday. Instead, the fire shut down an entire lane, causing them to lose a full day of sales. The timing could hardly have been worse.Shops across Chain Wali Gali, where the blaze broke out, remained shut through the day after police advised traders against opening their establishments. Even shops along the main road that were open had to endure power cuts, leaving traders uncertain when normal business would resume.Aman, an employee at a mobile phone shop, said he had reached work at 9 am. “However, police personnel advised us not to open our shops. There is no electricity either,” he said.Karan, a shopkeeper in the market, said, “During every festival, we hope to earn a little more and celebrate happily with our families. Today is Dhanteras, and customers were expected to flood the market. Instead, our shutters are down,” he rued.For older traders who have spent decades of their lives in the market, the lost business also meant missing out on a day traditionally associated with prosperity. Arjan Singh (72), who owns a mobile spare parts shop, said even a modest day’s earnings mattered during the festival. “Irrespective of whether we make a big profit or not, no one wants to return home empty-handed. Diwali is an auspicious occasion when we are supposed to earn a little extra, but instead, we are suffering losses,” he said. “If we don’t earn, what will we take for our families?”The shopkeepers said they had no clarity on when electricity would be restored or when the authorities would allow them to resume business.Udit, whose shop is on the main road of the market, said it was functioning without electricity. “We want to earn something today. In the evening, we will have to quickly shut our shops as there is no point trying to sell things in the dark,” he said.
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