Keonjhar: Nanalal Wegade’s shop near the daily market in Keonjhar town was once doing a brisk business in petromax lights but the entry of gas, solar and electric lights in the market has hurt the prospects of his store.
His shop used to provide 80 to 90 petromax lights on rent when there was a demand for such products. Once, petromax light was the first choice at functions like puja celebrations, marriage, thread ceremony, among others. The rent for light per day was between Rs 1.50 and Rs 2.50. The demand for such lights was so huge that one would have to make a booking at least 10 days in advance.
His shop also used to repair lights, kerosene stoves and gramophone players. However, Nanalal, an octogenarian, wouldn’t go to his shop these days because of health issues.
Nanalal’s son Suresh joined the shop at the age of nine to help his father. The 61-year-old Suresh, who is managing the shop now, says these lights, also known as Day Petromax lights, were mostly used for cultural functions like ‘Pala’, ‘Daskathia’, ‘drama’, ‘opera’ and public meetings.
However, the new generation of Nanalal’s family is not very keen to pursue the family business.
“I took over the shop from my father at a time when business was at the peak. Time has changed. Now I am somehow managing the shop by repairing kerosene stoves and gas lights. However, I am able to earn Rs 15,000 a month with which I run my family,” he says, adding he cannot switch over to any other business now.
“My youngest son is pursuing higher education at Dharani Dhar Autonomous College. One of my daughters is a lecturer and another works at a private company.
“Honesty and good behaviour with customers are the two essential attributes for the success of any business firm,” he adds.
