It's shopping festivals season during Ramzan month

Charminar: With just 10 days left for the completion of the holy month of Ramzan and the shopping spree choking the lanes and by-lanes near Charminar, the new trend of shopping at function halls-turned-shopping centres are getting more acceptance amongst those who wish to avoid the hustle bustle and virtual mad dash.

Even though it has been in practice for a while, the trend is slowing gaining acceptance amongst the families who wish to avoid crowds, which are growing bigger, even as Eid-ul-Fitr closes in.

Leaving the traditional markets between Charminar and Madina Building area aside, the public is seen preferring the specially organised centres at function Halls in areas like Nayapul, Chaderghat, Toli Chowki and scores of other places where the makeshift arrangements called as 'shopping festivals,' display variety of dress material and other items.

For instance, the Minar Garden near Salar Jung Museum in Nayapul, where the Rainbow Shopping festival is set up each year, received good response this time as per the organizers. Away from traffic chaos, the place has become an ideal location for those who wish to buy a variety of clothing at reasonable prices, if not at throwaway prices.

Different types of dress materials, including from foreign countries like Thailand and Afghanistan, besides Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Lucknow and from other parts of India, can be seen attracting the visitors. About 20,000 to 25,000 people can be seen visiting here every day, most of whom avoid main markets like Charminar, Pathergatti, Laad Bazaar, Madina Building and Abids.

"Rainbow Shopping Festival has entered its 13th year. It remains India's biggest shopping festival. It has the biggest Matrix lighting dome in India, with 169*85 ft in dimension. With 7.5 lakh LED bulbs, it remains one of the prime attractions this season," said Aslam Ahmed Khan, managing director at Rainbow Shopping Festival.

Speaking to The Hans India, Aslam said that some150 stalls were installed in the festival this year, and that it is one of a kind to come up under one roof. "Last year, we have recorded more than 12 lakh footfalls, and this year, we are expecting more than 15 lakh, as we have the stalls from Thailand and Afghanistan this year," said Aslam Khan.

People from all over the city and also from nearby districts come here to shop at this festival. ''Last Saturday, the festival has recorded some 56,000 people which is the highest and on par with the number of visitors at Exhibition on a single day.''

Apart from shopping, there is a food court where many stalls from different hotels can be seen. Besides, the famous Patther Ka Gosht, different types of Kababs are available, and there are many games for kids, said Aslam Khan.

Arshiya Fatima, a customer in Kashmiri stall, said that her favourite outfit is Kashmiri silk. "We hard to find Kashmiri clothes anywhere else in the city," she said.

Akhlaq Ahmed Ansari, a visitor, said that the shopping festival in function halls have become the customers' attraction where the customers can buy the dresses starting from kids to the elderly for both men and women.

"Now-a-days, visiting markets are a big headache because of huge traffic jams and have to travel for different shops for kids, men and women. These shopping festivals give us relaxation from traffic and visiting different shops," Ansari added.

Unique Thailand fabrics

Azra, the Thailand stall owner, said that she was introduced to this kind of shopping venue by one of her friends who suggested installing a stall in the festival. She said she designs dresses in a unique way and tailor made according to the taste of Indians with Thailand's fabric. The dresses are also from China and Korea.

She said that she found Hyderabadis as attractive people who have a good taste for fashion. "Many prefer the unique designs I made," Azra said.

Mrs Khan, a resident of Mehdipatnam, said that she came to the Old City to visit Minar Garden, where there are many stalls with different dress designs. "This year in city we got new dresses with unique fabrics from Thailand. The place became a hot favourite for kids and girls," she added.

By MM Farooqui