A customer selects firecrackers from a shop in Patna. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, March 31: India has reached the final of the ICC World Cup 2011 and the sale of firecrackers in the state capital has registered an all-time high.

The sales figure has brought smiles on the faces of most traders as this is unexpected business in a non-marriage, non-festival season.

If trade pundits are to be believed, the sale is set to climb higher as residents have just begun their preparations for Saturday’s final in Mumbai. On Wednesday, the day of India’s victory over Pakistan in the World Cup semi-final, the fireworks were no less than on Diwali night. The sound of firecrackers could be heard from each and every corner of the city.

On Thursday, people were seen thronging the shops at the firecrackers market in Patna City. Orders were being placed in bulk as no one wants to run out of stock on Saturday night.

There are almost 200 firecracker shops in the area and every shopkeeper is happy with the rush. Mohammad Asif, who owns a shop in the Khazkalla area, said: “India-Pakistan cricket matches always drive people crazy. And now that the Indian team has reached the final, the sale of firecrackers has automatically gone up. People are purchasing firecrackers in bulk. We are happy as we are doing brisk business in this off-season. People from far-off places are also coming to our market, as it is known to be the best firecracker bazaar in the city.”

Sikander Ali, another shopkeeper, said: “In the past few days, we have sold firecrackers worth between Rs 70,000 and Rs 1 lakh. In the wholesale market, the business is between Rs 7 lakh and Rs 10 lakh. Firecrackers are selling like hot cakes. Customers are spending money on victory celebrations. We did a very good business on Wednesday because of the Indo-Pak semi-final. In fact, we have ordered for more stock as we may run short on Saturday. We don’t want to disappoint our customers.”

About customers’ preferences, Rinku Kumar, a shop owner at Paschim Darwaja area of Patna City, said: “Rockets are being preferred as they go very high and bursts into colourful sparkles in the sky. Charkhis are a close second.”

Vicky Kapoor, a resident of Sheikhpura, said: “World Cup comes every four years and India has reached the final for the third time. I want to celebrate and burst more crackers. A World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka is nothing less than a festival and any festival is incomplete without firecrackers.”

Bindu Singh, another customer, said: “If India wins the Cup, firecrackers will light up the skies. It will be the second time that India will bring the Cup home after 1983, so I don’t mind spending a few thousand bucks on the celebrations. After all, it’s for the Men in Blue. The firecrackers will be the best way to express our joy if the team wins.”