HILLONG: Apart from causing a dent on commercial activities, the frequent bandh calls have also brought within its ambit the farming community of the State who were hoping to capitalize on the ongoing Autumn flower show 2013.
The show remained closed on Thursday due to the 12-hour bandh of NGOs and the loss incurred has not gone down well with the poor farmers to put up their stalls to earn a livelihood.
Speaking to reporters, Shillong Agri- Horticulture Society Executive member Vishu Singhania said, “The farmers wait for this show the whole year to make some money but their business was affected due to the bandh.”
He added that the farmers are now quite apprehensive of their produce since all their flowers are perishable.
There are around twenty-five farmers from the State who have ) put up their flowers in the show and all are appealing for the show to be extended by a day or two.
“We planned the event two years ago without realizing that such a situation would arise,” he said.
Sunil Agarwal, head of Darjeeling Gardens who has put up a stall at the show recalls that the second day of the festival was a total waste for him and other participants as well.
A local flower supplier, Sharmila said that though the response from the public to the flower show has been good and that there was no commotion caused barring the bandh which hampered their business in the festival.
