Collection time for Ganesh mandals

With the ten day Ganesh festival round the corner, Ganesh Mandals have started making rounds of localities on their collection sprees.

I had been for a haircut yesterday and overheard a conversation between the saloon owner and the gang that had come for collections.

The gang was demanding that the saloon owner shell out 250 bucks for the Ganesh festival. The saloon owner retorted back saying that when the neighbouring gold and silver jwellery shops are paying 150 why are they asking a lowly humble saloon for 250. And moreover, he asked them that what were they doing when the flood waters destroyed the shops. There was nobody to be seen at that time - and now they come around for money. Then he told them that he would be only sheling out 150 and asked them to take it and go and do some actual work.

Well said. This money collection is essentially a racket in the name of religon. Soon after this festival the Dassera/Durga boys will land up demanding their loot. The torture never stops.