Wedding industry hit severely across J&K

SRINAGAR: Amid Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing restrictions imposed to curb its spread, the wedding industry across Jammu and Kashmir has been severely hit with several stakeholders suffering huge losses.
The weddings in Kashmir are usually held in the summer zone, while family members book banquet halls and purchase wedding items in advance, even as the markets would be buzzed with people purchasing different items.
However, this season wedding markets are deserted with shopkeepers suffering losses, with the government restricting the gatherings at marriage functions to only 50 people.
The other people affiliated with business of catering, copper, wedding suits, textiles, wedding suits, Wazwan and jewelry are also suffering huge losses.
Shakeel Ur Rehman, who runs a camping agency said, “Usually during this time of the season, we would receive huge booking from across the places for tents, utensils and other stuffs. But the situation has been totally different with families being scared of pandemic”.
He added, “Last year many marriage functions were cancelled or were held on a smaller scale post 5th August, after abrogation of Article 370, which also put catering business in tight spot. We were hopeful that this year we will be able to run our business smoothly. But, with government allowing only 50 people to attend marriage function it seems we might have to wait for some more.
“We have been receiving calls from our customers to cancel their bookings,” he said.
Ishfaq Khan, who runs a garment store said, “We would usually have a good business at this time of the year with people buying stuff for weddings, but amid Covid-19 panedamic, we are suffering very badly. We are not able to sell 10 percent of what we usually sell”.
“Earlier we used to serve Wazwan for over more than 300 people during marriage ceremonies, but with just 50 people allowed to attend weddings, I had to let off most of my helpers. It still costs heavy on my pocket as I have to spend money on PPE Kits and other materials to ensure hygiene,” said Mustaq Bhat, a chef.
Mehraj-ud-din who is the caretaker of marriage halls in Srinagar city, “You see, it is the peak of weeding season and marriage halls would have been booked earlier. And, there would be huge rush of guest. But, now with Covid-19, marriage halls are empty and locked”.
Adding that he said, “We have seen marriages functions during recent turmoil’s but this time families have no other option to arrange the marriage ceremony at home with just few peoples being allowed to attend function. And, why would anyone book marriage hall, when just 50 people can attended the function”.
The situation is equally bad in Jammu region too.
Rakesh Arora, owner of a banquet hall in Jammu district said, “This pandemic has taken a heavy toll on our business. We have never suffered such economic loss in our life. Most of the bookings have either been put on hold or have been cancelled.”
He added, “It has just not affected me, but others as well who used to earn bread directly or indirectly during the wedding season like that of catering owners and flower decorators as well. And, if Jammu and Kashmir government comes up with protocols and SOP’s for marriage functions, we are willing to abide by it, provided they remove the upper cap on the gathering.”
Mehwish Khan, who runs a boutique and bridal apparel shop said, “Our business is totally in loss. I receive calls every day from my customers, who are canceling their orders of wedding dressers as marriage functions have been canceled due to Covid-19 panedamic. We can only pray for situation to get normal so that we can start our business again”.
“It is a very distress time as I am not doing even 10 percent of my usual business,” said Mahesh Sharma, who runs a catering business in Jammu.
He added, “I had over dozens of employees working for me, but since there is no work as orders are getting canceled, they have gone to their native place and I don’t see any scope of calling them back anytime soon unless there is any solution”.