Sweet shops prepare ‘laddus’ ahead of poll results

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 10

A day before the election results are out, workers at sweet shops and flower vends are busy preparing ‘laddus’ and garlands. However, they are not concerned with any political party or candidate, but they know that laddus and flowers will be in demand tomorrow.

During a visit to Katra Baggian, a major market of sweets, it has been observed that all the sweet shops have deployed extra workers to prepare the laddus.

“We have not got orders from any political party or candidate yet. But learning from the previous years, we have observed that the political parties need sweets after the results are announced. We often prepare the laddus a day before the election results to meet the demand”, said Krishna, a sweet shop owner.

Meanwhile, some of the candidates, who are sure that they will win the election, have made prior arrangements. Similarly, the flower and garland sellers are also making more garlands than in routine.

“Everyone, who is contesting the election and hopes to win, keeps the garlands in his vehicles. There are several who buy the garlands early in the morning and wait till afternoon. When the election officials announce the winner, they put the garland around the winner’s neck. The politicians and their supporters need garlands so we prepare the garlands a day before”, said a flower seller at Lawrence Road.

Similarly, the dholis (drummers), who are now free as the wedding season is off, are also expecting good earnings. The dohlis are already associated with politicians, as they were hired by the candidates during the election campaigns.

“A candidate hired me for the election campaign and I spent 10 days with him. He did not invite me but I will sit near the counting centre and keep track. If he will win, I will beat the drum and get the reward from the activists and the candidate”, said Bhiru, a dholi.