Florists suffer profit drop as Thaipusam called off

GEORGE TOWN – Florists around George Town are appealing to the state government to relax some of the conditions set for Hindus to celebrate Thaipusam.

A florist from the GR Florist flower shop, P. Gunathan, 45, said celebrants should be allowed to purchase flower bouquets for them to place inside temples and sites along the traditional procession route.

“The Thaipusam celebration on January 28 is the only chance for florists to make an extra profit after suffering losses due to Covid-19,” he said.

He said more than 100 flower garlands can be sold every Thaipusam celebration in a day, giving him a total profit of between RM3,000 to RM5,000 during the three-day celebration.

“Usually we get supplies directly from Cameron Highlands, but this year we did not source anything for Thaipusam. We are afraid of losing. So, it is better not to take anything because flowers cannot be stored for long,” he told The Vibes.

Gunathan, who has been in business for the past 15 years, said that his profits are declining badly every day.

He said he only received less than five buyers every day since the movement control order was implemented last week.

“Sales are declining sharply. We do not know how to survive if the MCO has to be extended again.

“Previously, suppliers would send flowers every day, but now we only ask for supplies two or three times a week,” he said.

On January 8, Second Deputy Chief Minister P. Ramasamy announced the cancellation of activities in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebration this year following the increase in Covid-19 cases in Penang.

Ramasamy, who is also the chairman of the Penang Hindu Endowment Board, said celebration activities were prohibited, including the procession of the silver and gold chariots, carrying milk pots or kavadis, breaking coconuts, and shaving hair, to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

However, the two main temples, Nattukottai Chettiar and Hilltop Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani were allowed to perform prayers during Thaipusam, but only by committee members at the two temples.

Hindus were asked to hold prayer ceremonies in their respective homes. – The Vibes, January 21, 2021