City goes on shopping spree, sellers of decorative items doing brisk biz

Prayagraj: In the wake of Dhanteras, the city markets are buzzing with hectic activities. From electronic items to garments, consumer products, decorative items, artificial flowers, lai and lawa (puffed rice), rangolis, candles, and diyas, various markets of the city were flooded with shoppers on Monday. Although the festival of light is on Thursday, several offices and schools of city are already witnessing thin attendance. People are coming out in large numbers to make purchases for Diwali and Dhanteras.

Shops in all the markets of the city, including Civil Lines, Katra, Chowk, Telirganj, Sulem Sarai, Muttiganj, Kydganj, Khuldabad, Batasa Mandi, Loknath, etc., are remaining open for late hours and making brisk business. "Although I am not getting time from my office, my family members have started shopping for Diwali as with each passing day, the rush will increase in the market," said a 44-year-old teacher of a city-based English medium school, Saket Srivastava. Among several items that were being sold in the market, decorative items, artificial flowers, showpieces, chandeliers, etc., were picked up by the customers. People were busy buying firecrackers, sweets, candles, and earthen pots. The same was the rush for the purchase of electronic items. "Cellphones, microwave ovens, LCD TVs, refrigerators, handy-cams, and laptops are in great demand. As expected, we saw a jump in sales," said Naresh Pal, a salesman of a showroom at Civil Lines.

Similarly, roadside shops offering decorative items like artificial flowers, lamps, decorative jhalar, bulbs, and flowers aere selling like hot cakes. "The artificial flowers are in demand all through the year, but during Diwali, the sale picks up," said Deepanshu, a shopkeeper of Chowk. Almost all the roads of the major markets of the city witnessed traffic jams for several hours. Be it various roads9 of Chowk, MG Road, and Elgin Road of Civil Lines or the market of Katra, all witnessed traffic moving at a snail's pace.