nationwide Dhanteras But tremendous buying was seen in the markets. According to estimates, this year a trade worth Rs 1 lakh crore was done in the entire country. Out of this, gold and silver business was worth Rs 60 thousand crores, while in Delhi itself the sale of gold and silver was more than Rs 10 thousand crores.
Despite the rising prices of gold and silver, customers followed tradition by purchasing jewellery, coins and other items. Last year, at the time of Diwali, the price of gold was around Rs 80,000 per 10 grams, which this time increased to Rs 1,30,000 per 10 grams. Silver prices also increased from Rs 98,000 per kg to Rs 1,80,000 per kg.
Praveen Khandelwal, National General Secretary of Confederation of All India Traders (CAT) and MP from Chandni Chowk, Delhi, said that Dhanvantari had appeared with the Amrit Kalash during Samudra Manthan on the Trayodashi date of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. Since then this day is celebrated as Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi.
Business estimate of Rs 1 lakh crore
Khandelwal said that this year the total trade of gold, silver and other important commodities in the entire country on Dhanteras is estimated to be Rs 1 lakh crore. He said that the business of gold and silver jewellery, coins and other items crossed Rs 60 thousand crore, while in Delhi this business exceeded Rs 10 thousand crore, which is 25 percent more than last year.
Pankaj Arora, national president of CAT and All India Jewelers and Goldsmiths Federation (AIJGF), said that in the last two days, there was a tremendous increase in the sale of gold and silver due to the influx of customers.
People also got benefit from GST cut
Khandelwal said that buying new utensils, kitchen appliances, brooms and puja materials made of copper, silver or steel on Dhanteras is considered auspicious. Buying a broom removes poverty and ensures the arrival of positive energy and Goddess Lakshmi in the house. In the modern era, people also buy mobiles, laptops, tablets and electronic devices considering it auspicious.
This time, the main reasons for business growth were reduction in GST rates and the call to adopt Swadeshi. Consumers are giving preference to local and indigenous products, which benefited small traders and manufacturers.
Khandelwal told that on this Dhanteras, apart from gold and silver, 15 thousand crore rupees were spent on utensils and kitchen items, 10 thousand crore rupees on electronic and electrical goods, 3 thousand crore rupees on decorations, lamps and worship materials and 12 thousand crore rupees were spent on dry fruits, fruits, sweets, clothes and vehicles.
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