Rajasthan Traders Suffer Crore-Worth Losses in Surat Textile Market Fire

Surat : A  significant number of traders from Rajasthan have incurred substantial losses amounting to crores of rupees due to the fire that erupted in the Shivshakti Textile Market in Surat. 

In the wake of the financial setback from the market fire, traders in Rajasthan are uniting. In light of the recent tragedy, the annual Holi celebration organized by the Rajasthan Yuvak Mandal has been called off.

Following the outbreak of a fire within the Shivshakti Textile Market, access for traders was prohibited. Nevertheless, traders persistently appealed to corporation officials and local leaders for permission to enter their shops. 

The team responsible for the stability report granted access to five traders, permitting them to enter the market for a brief 10 minutes each. During this time, the traders were required to return with their laptops, account books, and any cash present in their shops.  In addition to this, it was explicitly prohibited to bring any items that were left inside.

Vinod Kumar Chaudhary, upon entering his shop, remarked, “Today, we received permission and ventured into the market to check on our shop.”  The shop’s pillars stood as the only visible remnants. 

The whole office has been reduced to ashes.  Our valuable goods, amounting to lakhs of rupees, were reduced to ashes.  It seemed like our capital had been reduced to ashes until now.  We’re at a loss for direction and unsure of whom to inform.  All that remained were mere ashes to recover.

The fiery spectacle of the evening was strikingly clear in our minds.  Papiyabai, the wife of another trader, recounted that on the night of Shivratri, the shops belonging to small traders were set ablaze.  Today, everyone gathered on the road.  We repeatedly urged, ‘Hurry and extinguish the flames, hurry and extinguish the flames,’ yet the blaze remained unmanageable.  During the evening of Shivratri, we were in tears.  Alongside me, several other women made their way to the market.  We witnessed the stores engulfed in flames right before us.  Our family’s source of income was reduced to ashes right before our eyes.

Another trader, Jivarambhai, expressed his sorrow, stating, “It is unfortunate that our shops were reduced to ashes, yet even those with substantial amounts of cash in their drawers are being looted.”  The authorities need to look into the matter of the thefts occurring.  It raises a question: with only employees of the Surat Municipal Corporation, police, and fire personnel allowed inside the market, who could possibly be responsible for the theft?  That’s quite a significant inquiry.  I insist that a thorough inquiry be carried out regarding this matter.  Authorities are urged to review the nearby CCTV footage to identify the individual responsible for the theft that occurred inside.

Another trader, Motilal Chaudhary, emphasized the urgent need for financial support from the Gujarat government, Rajasthan government, and the central government to assist traders facing challenges.  We have all arrived at the crossroads.  In addition to that, a significant number of individuals have found themselves without jobs.  Traders are positioned on all fronts, filled with anticipation.  Our mental state is concerning, and it’s crucial that we seek assistance promptly.

Dinesh Purohit, a local corporator and leader of the Rajasthani community, expressed that Holi stands as the most significant festival for Rajasthanis; however, the recent tragedy at Shivshakti Textile Market has left us all in a state of sorrow.  In light of the current circumstances affecting traders, the Rajasthan Yuvak Mandal has decided to cancel this year’s grand Holi program.