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'Sivakasi' - Why is it best for fireworks?

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Akshaya
'Sivakasi' - Why is it best for fireworks?

Internationally, Sivakasi is known for producing fireworks. India produces 90 percent of the country's fireworks. Between Rs 800 and 1000 crores are generated by the fireworks industry in Sivakasi. According to market forecasts, fireworks will grow by 10 percent a year in the coming years. 

Among the nearly 450 fireworks factories in the country, 40,000 people are directly employed and about a lakh indirectly employed through paper tube production, wire cutting, and box production. 

As well as Sivakasi Fireworks produces training items for military weapons. The armed forces train with them. Several airports use Sivakasi rockets to scare birds away to avoid bird strikes on aircraft. Sivakasi rockets are ideal for producing fireworks. Due to the low rainfall levels and the dry climate in the Sivakasi region, production continues unabated. Three hours of Diwali Day could have made what took almost 300 days and overtime work throughout the year to produce what would have been consumed in three hours. 

With the introduction of the Central Excise Duty on Matches in 1934, modern family or small fireworks' germ was sown. Sivakasi, Trichur, and Rimjalakuda were the only factories in Kerala State before World War II began in 1939. During the war, fireworks and firecrackers were prevented from being imported. It gave impetus to the indigenous economy, which was still in its early stages. 

An explosion regulation was enacted in 1940 requiring licensing for manufacturing, possessing, and selling explosives. It was in 1940 that the first factory with several safety precautions and measures was established. 

These factories, which operated in the off-season after the season ended, were able to build up stocks during the shortage and work even during off-seasons. After World War II, raw materials could be imported again, and the indigenous industry expanded. 

Apart from the existing factories, several new units were created in 1942.Throughout India, different manufacturing companies began marketing their products. They were subsequently supplemented by an average of ten new units per year. By the year 1980, there were 189 factories, up from two in 1923 and three in 1942. The end of 2001 will see 450 factories operating in Sivakasi. 

Since May 7, a total of 1,070 firework production units have been operational in Sivakasi. As a result of the lockdown, Sivakasi fireworks manufacturers have lost 43 days (30%) of production, translating into roughly 700 crores in value terms. Their hopes remain intact, however. Having reopened their factories in May, they are ramping up production in an attempt to get people to forget the pandemic by celebrating Diwali wholeheartedly. 

The threat of Chinese imports has significantly receded for the fireworks sector in Sivakasi. In the last three years, the Government of India has blocked Chinese imports. The report stated that Chinese crackers would not be allowed into the country this year as well. Manufacturers of fireworks are eager to celebrate the Fourth of July. Although it is still too early to tell for sure if people battling an uncertain future will burst crackers this Diwali and blow off their Covid-19-related stress.

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