Chinese crackers, pandemic hit Sivakasi fireworks industry

Diwali is just round the corner and the number of coronavirus cases is still rising. The festival is an extremely important affair for the fireworks industry in Tamil Nadu’s Sivakasi district. However, this year, traders and manufacturers are clueless. Sivakasi, which accounts for nearly 80% of the country’s fireworks production, is wrapped in an atmosphere of gloom and uncertainty as it staring at a huge loss this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown. To make things worse, the illegal intrusion of Chinese firecrackers has already begun.