During Navratri, Colaba’s traders, shopkeepers, hawkers and residents were upbeat. It was the perfect start to a festive beginning. Here are a few views as told to The Draft
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| "After having lost my mother in 2018, things have been terrible for us. This Navratri, business has finally picked up," says Ganesh Kale (centre) with father Nuresh (left) and grandfather Manu Pawar who travel all the way to Colaba from Solapur to sell flowers on festivals |
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| "We are happy to see the young dance to folk music too, instead of only film songs," says Colaba Koliwada resident Kisen Koli, here with wife Kamal Koli |
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| "After two years of a financial slump, we are hopeful of a new beginning," says Silver House owner Hasmukh Shah, here with son Pratik |
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| "It has been a harrowing two years till date. Navratri has brought me some hope that things will change now," says Maruti Electronics owner Kishor Rawal |
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| "I am happy to be able to resume the kanyapujan, feeding the nine ‘Devis’ during Navratri again," says Machhimar Nagar resident Vaiju Kulabkar |
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| "After a good Navratri, I expect the sales of sweets and mithai to rise in Diwali," says Punjabi Chandu Halwai Colaba manager Anil Jha |
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| "After very long, sales of garments have started to pick up, albeit slowly, from Navratri. I am hopeful that by Diwali, there’ll be a positive spurt in sales," says Milan Fashions owner Rajesh Gala |
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| "Business isn’t as usual but is surely picking up from the slump it had landed in COVID times. I am hopeful of a change for the better," says Gateway boat-owner Irfan Mahadkar |
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| "Things are beginning to look up finally. It was about time, the tide changes for the better and the crisis ends," says Popy store owner Jatin Shah |
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| "This Navratri, business was good and will get better," says snacks vendor Mohammed Hussain |
Click here to download the 'Devi Dhamaka - Navratri 2022 Colaba Special' e-paper
