'Undhiyu jamvu chhe? Garam chhe!'

The mention of Uttarayan conjures up an image of not just kites and colours but also the much-loved undhiyu, besides sweets including chikki and jalebi. Chikki made from jaggery and sesame seeds serves as an easy and quick snack for one all in between loud screams of 'kaipoche' and 'lappet'.

However, with skyrocketing prices of vegetable as well as other commodities prices of every mouth watering item have also shot up. "Chikki prices have gone up this season by some 25-30% this year," says Jagan Shah, a resident of Kalupur. Dipika Shah, owner of Lakshmi traders who are in the sale of all kinds of chikki, gazak, laddu -traditional food items eaten during Uttrayan festival have raised all the food items' cost by almost 30-40%. When asked about the most in-demand item of uttrayan- Undhiyu (kind of special vegetable) she said "Even vegetables prices have gone high. Therefore, the Rs45 per kg Undhiyu is now selling at Rs60 per kg." Shah also alleged that one of the major reasons along with inflation is black market. If the government will not take immediate steps than it will definitely bother middle income group.