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It has been a long-held tradition to revel in the Gregorian New Year with a bang through fireworks from Dhaka's rooftops.
Although illegal, retailers said, the trading of sparklers, crackers, sky-rockets, colour bombs and various other fireworks has increased in the past few days ahead of the start of 2023.
Online shops like Daraz and Facebook-based retailers are also doing a brisk business of such items, said insiders.
Shankharibazar in the city's older part is the key place to source fireworks of varied sizes and types.
Visiting some areas on Thursday night, the FE found thousands from different part of the city gathered at the overpopulated narrow lane to source fireworks.
Ehtesham Hasan, an IT specialist by profession, told the FE, "I've two kids below 10 who can't think a 31st night without firecrackers and lanterns. You must visit Shankharibazar to source best-quality fireworks."
He bought twelve-shot fireworks (six inches) packet of Indian Rajeshwary company at Tk 2,500 from a retailer at Rakhal Chandra Basak Lane.
"I also bought an eight-piece packet of colour smoke at Tk 1,000 from the same underground shop," he said.
Taposh Nagh, a goldsmith at Pannitola, also does the firework trade on occasions.
He told the FE that importing fireworks is the toughest job as the whole trade is illegal.
Friends and trade partners covertly brought them through consignments of cloths and other products before Durga Puja festivals. The unused items are now being sold this time, he said.
Jahor Basak, a senior trader in the area, said 130-150 shops in Shankharibazar and Chawkbazar supply 80 per cent of the total fireworks on demand countrywide.
A good portion is also traded at Hili land port in Dinajpur district, he told the FE.
Mr Basak said traders in the two areas sell fireworks, lantern worth at least Tk 500-600 million centring New Year's Eve.
He suggested that the government permit import of fireworks as well as local companies to make green crackers maintaining full safety measures.
Mr Basak said people should choose big and dry surface like pavement for sparklers and kids not be given such items. "The old town is not safe for fireworks."
Safe products like sky-rockets, firecrackers and sparklers from reputed companies should be used.
Mr Basak suggested that adults handle displays, and it is a good idea to have a hose ready, just in case.
Pets tend to have a hard time around all the noise, so try to be considerate of neighbors and any animals.
Ataul Gani Pavel, a banker, told the FE that he ordered 10 pieces of lantern from online marketplace Daraz."You could find varieties of sky-lantern on the page at competitive rates. I ordered 10 pieces at Tk 450, including delivery charge," he said.
Meanwhile, Facebook pages like Fireworks BD, Atoshbazar.com, Bajirong, Fanush Bangladesh, Starfireworks, Dhaka Fireworks and 50 other pages are in competition with offers to sell fireworks.