Old tradition of currency notes garlands dying

ISLAMABAD: With the passage of time people prefer to present flower garlands instead of old tradition of currency note garlands for grooms on wedding ceremonies.

A report aired by a private news channel said, due to changing trends and lifestyles, the traditional currency note garlands business down as people prefer to buy flower garland for grooms.

A wedding planner said "I have seen that the new generation stays away from such displays of wealth but it is the old generation that wants to continue it mostly in the name of tradition.

In old traditions it was a common phenomenon to show of currency notes on bridegroom garlands but now youngsters changed their mindsets and prefer to buy flower garlands for grooms said a Youngster Faisal Zia.

A shopkeeper Hamid Imran said usually, the wedding season-November to February- means brisk business for us.

Other currency garland makers also out of business as their craft entirely depends on the availability of crisp currency notes.

Garland maker Saleem Khan said business is down by almost 90 percent. "People do not have the money to buy other essentials for weddings. Now, they make do with garlands of flowers.

"Earlier, garlands made with 100 notes of Rs 100 denomination were the most popular and now note dealers have run out of currency and we do not have currency to buy new notes of any denomination," says saleem.

The garlands come in various designs and take an hour to make. "We have not had a single customer for a note garland in the past long times.

This business is finished," says a old shop in Rawalpindi Bazaar, it is customary for bridegrooms in many Pakistani weddings to wear garlands made of money.

Garlands made of rose petals with glittering gold-colored strings and beads attract vast affluent customers, said a Young shopkeeper Basit Nawaz.

"Traditional garland makers string full flowers, but we use roses in different colors to make garlands, especially for groom," says Mohammad Javed a leading garland maker at the wholesale flower market.

"Making profit in garlands is a big gamble because we deal with perishable goods. We make profits because we work on advance orders. We also ensure high quality and offer an array of designs for customers to choose," he added.