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It was a warm sunny afternoon in Karachi. I was on
some busy road stuck in traffic when I witnessed some lady stepping out
of her Corolla and went towards a fruit seller. After few minutes the
lady went back to her car and drove away. She was not the only one; some
other buyers kept visiting the fruit stalls and going back without
buying anything. This was quiet surprising for me; as no one seems
interested in buying season’s fruit. After the initial inquiry I figured
out that whooping high prices of fruits halts them to make purchase. Sad
Indeed!
It is heartbreaking to quote that we reside in a Muslim country where
masses can’t afford consumer goods during the month of Ramadan. The
month of Ramadan is followed by Eid ul Fitr. The price hike of Ramadan
continues to accelerate in the festive season, making shopping the
painful activity for the buyers.
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Eid Preparations
Half of the Ramadan has passed already and the buzz about Eid
preparations has started. Traffic jams, late night shopping, and crowded
bazaars! This is how Pakistanis prepare to welcome Eid. The shopkeepers
are opening their business after 10th Roza taraweeh, to commence Eid
Shopping in full swing. Nation stricken by inflation, poverty and
uncertain law and order situation are heartbroken to witness roaring
high prices that spoils their festive mood. Mostly people have diverted
their interest in window shopping while others who can afford seems not
really happy with the price hike but still continues to shop! Everyone
looks to purchase clothes, shoes, and accessories for Eid, keeping aside
their social status. Women are a bit conscious about buying but they
still manage to look for matching jewellery.
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Eid Shopping and Chand Raat Fun
The nation knows how to celebrate festivals. The festive mode is one as
the end of Ramadan approaches. The last ten days of Holy Ramadan
features special prayers, Aitkaaf, Eid Shopping and Chand Raat. People
make special arrangements for those who desire to sit in Aitkaaf in
Masjids or at home. Others indulge themselves in eleventh hour shopping
for Eid. People prefer to buy jewellery, shoes, bangles, and mehndi from
local stalls and malls with family and friends. Nothing can stop people
to shop for Eid accessories, not even the ever increasing prices. The
shopkeepers are aware of the fact that Eid shopping is a must;
therefore, they demand high prices to keep their margin. People have no
choice left other than to make a purchase even on a 100% double price.
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Oh by the way I forgot to mention the “Eidi Takers” who keep an eye on
citizens during the end of Ramadan to grab their hands of sufficient
Eidi. Yes, you guessed it correct! Policemen. They are there to give you
protection and main law and order during the Eid shopping, and eyes on
taking their part of Eidi from the shoppers on different occasions. This
is truly disturbing and discouraging for the buyers and shoppers as they
had to pay bribes to them.
Chand Raat Fun is parallel to none. People visit malls and eating out
places to commence the Eid celebrations, put up joyful statuses on FB,
women prefer to put up beautiful mehndi designs, and wear colorful
bangles to welcome to joy of Eid. |