Surat to supply around one lakh saris with NaMo imprint

Surat: Elections, be it Lok Sabha or assembly polls, have been a big money spinner for Surat’s sari and dress material makers for years now.
They have been quick to latch on to the burning issues, the latest example being the Pulwama terror attack and subsequent Indian Air Force (IAF) air strikes as well as Wing Commander Abhinandan.

The sari makers have now started concentrating on setting out designs with Lok Sabha elections in mind. In the past, few lakh saris printed with BJP and Congress logos and their leaders have been ordered and sent to many cities. Now, the demand has started pouring in again with the announcement of the election.

Some dyeing and printing manufacturers have taken up initial orders of 10,000-20,000 saris. However, many are not much enthusiastic on taking up such job work this year. The reason: Delay or non-payment of the past orders.

Manish Agarwal of Annapurna Dyeing in Pandesara, who takes up jobwork said, “We have a few inquiries and initial orders of such election material. Parties need these saris for distribution to their workers and some prospective voters. We would send some stuff based on digital prints made by us.”

He added, “For BJP, saris with Narendra Modi picture are maximum in demand. Some have also asked for material with UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s picture too.”

According to market sources, at present few have encashed the surgical strike design and supplied their stock and are waiting for advance for political Sari’s printing and delivery .

Another dyeing house manufacturer said, “Generally, cheap saris that cost Rs 150-Rs 175 are in big demand in UP, Bihar, MP and some other northern and eastern states. The number is never more than 1.5 to 2 lakh pieces in every general election. It is only during assembly elections in states like Bihar, UP or even Tamil Nadu that the demand is much more.”

Narendra Saboo, Manbhari Prints, who recently made saris with digital prints of Pulwama martyrs and IAF strikes, said, “We have got orders of 10,000-15,000 saris with the theme of surgical strike. The orders were mostly from UP, Bihar and Delhi. Orders are still coming in.”

Sari makers say the orders are trickling in at present, but the demand is likely to soar in the next fortnight.

* Low-quality saris costing around Rs 150 are distributed as doles to voters

* Saris costing Rs 250-Rs 400 are distributed to party workers

* Minimum order for digitally printed saris: 64 pieces

* Total number of saris sold from Surat during LS polls: 1-1.25 lakh

*Total number of saris sold during assembly polls: 4 to 5 lakh