Mysuru: Meena Bazaar – an apt place for shopping during the month of Ramzan, is not only attracting people from the Muslim community but also those from the other community owing to the attractive dress materials available here which are purchased from different states across the country.
In recent years, Meena Bazaar in Mandi Mohalla has even been attracting people from neighboring states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa and even from Andhra Pradesh during Ramzan.
People, especially the women folk throng to Meena bazaar to purchase dress materials and other accessories. On regular days one comes across 100 to 200 shops at Meena Bazaar but during the Ramzan period, especially 15 days prior to Eid one comes across more than 500 shops with different varieties on offer at reasonable rates.
During the holy month of Ramzan, a portion of Sawday road where the bazaar is located is made into a one-way lane. One will find many shops selling readymade garments, slippers, shoes, perfumes, caps, burkas, dress decorated with chamkis, zardosi work, stones and colorful embroidery that are available in all sizes right from kids to elders. There are also colorful salwar kameez, gharga cholis, churidhars and colorful sarees. Apart from the dresses, the street also has shops doling out varieties of mouth watering dishes.
Speaking to Newskarnataka, Anjum said “Meena bazaar is special place for most of the Muslim community. The varieties which are available here is difficult to find in any particular shop. This is the ideal time for people to get their dress materials and other stuffs to purchase. We not only get variety but also it is cheaper”.
N Swetha, who works as a private school teacher and had come to Meena Bazaar for her shopping said, “In many shops we will not get the variety what we get here. So almost every year I make it a point to have shop here during Ramzan time”.
Demonetization, recent school admission has halved business
The shopkeepers at Meena Bazaar who expect to do rousing business during Ramzan period are however saying that the business hasn’t worked for them this year round. Every year we avail loans from banks or money lenders and invest in the business, but this year the business has come down by nearly 50 to 60 percent compared to last eight to ten years. According to shop keepers, many people who are visiting Meena bazaar are into window shopping.
Naseem Qureshi, from Delhi who is into garments business for the past 20 years and sets up stalls at Meena Bazaar during Ramazan period said, “This year we are not having good business. When comparedto last year, the business is down by 50 to 60 percent. Due to demonetization and having spent money on children’s admission, the people have little to spend and are not coming forward to purchase much.
Abdul Rehaman, who is into Jhubba and Kurtas business for the past nearly ten years also shares the same view. “Its lukewarm response. When compared to last year we are not having good business. The business is down by 40 to 50 percent. It has become difficult for us to manage,” he said.
Another shop keeper, Abdul Wajeed who runs a Burka business said, “It seems due to recent school admissions, people might be facing financial crunch”. They are hoping that atleast in next few days they will be able to do some rousing business. Ramzan is expected to be celebrated on Monday.
Cleaning work in full swing at Eidgah Maidan in Tilaknagar
More than 40,000 people are expected to attend the mass prayer at Eidgah Maidan in Tilaknagar. For the past two days, more than 15 workers are into cleaning spry. The stretch from highway circle to Eidgah circle is being cleaned. The road dividers are also being painted.
