Even a floods are an opportunity for the business-minded, as was proved by some along the submerged Aluva Manappuram on the banks of Periyar river in Aluva, Kerala.
People who came into offer ‘vavu bali’ on Saturday morning were welcomed by neatly arranged rows of laminated copies of a picture of the Aluva Siva temple taken when it was completely submerged on first day of the flooding. The photos were for sale at the rate of ₹30 a copy.
When spoke to, one of the few who were in the ‘business’ said that the idea is to cash in on devotees who are memorabilia collectors — after all, one never gets to see Lord Siva fully submerged.
While at the moment there are only a couple out there to make a quick buck this way, more may follow suit if there are enough takers.