The holy month of Ramazan has bestowed its blessings. Heavy rush of customers can be seen all over the city. Eid festival, in fact, belongs to the persons who purify themselves in this holy month. Eid is the Islamic festival of Muslims and they celebrate it inside or out of the country.
Aside of the current financial strains, there is no turndown in Eid shopping in the city as the rush at the major shopping centres is the proof of this impression. Just drive or walk down to the innumerable places in the city, the shops reveal rush of men, women and children after Iftari, which usually remains till late in the night.
Children's items, though costly, have great demand, because every family, whatever its fiscal pose, prefers to buy something for their children. During the early days of Ramazan, there is rush in cloth shops and at tailors', but as Eid approaches, people start buying readymade clothes. Shopping has become a hobby of the women and their buying spree continues into Eid night.
Every other night they visit these shopping centres - sometimes for buying similar things and making changes of sizes or colours. The Chaand Raat is spared for purchasing bangles and applying Mehndi. Needless to say that the women and the children are the main factors of joviality at the marketplaces.
Special stalls are set up for one or two nights before the Eid. It is another style in our society that people generally shop extra in Ramazan for Eid-ul-Fitr because this is the only event which is celebrated by Muslims with fervour by tradition.
As always, this year, the improved law and order situation has also reinforced the shopping spree. The opening of Eid and Bachat Bazars in almost every nook and corner of the city is a proof that this year Eid shopping was more hectic than usual.