Shoppers throng Walled City

AHMEDABAD: If one wants to feel the festivity surrounding Diwali shopping, it has to be done in the walled city. Giving up the cool environs of air-conditioned malls and super shops, many people from the western side crossed the bridge and braved unending traffic, bad roads, intense heat and maddening crowd to shop in the 'sheher' for the great shopping experience.
Rising cost has in fact added to the number of shoppers in the walled city as it hosted many first-time shoppers looking for a bargain this Diwali.
First-timers mother-daughter duo Rachan and Pratima from Kanpur in the city were directed here by its popularity. "We asked many people the best place to shop for Diwali and all of them suggested Dilli Darwaza area."
The Walled City also offers shoppers a chance to practice their bargaining skills. This opportunity and a variety of goods available have won many first time shoppers to the Walled City, with inflation playing a major role. "Manek Chowk has so many varieties and bargains. The heat and crowd is distracting but we purchased bed sheets for Rs. 300 that would cost Rs. 600 in the city", said Sunita Modi who had come for shopping with her husband.
Amidst cantankerous sounds, vivid smells and the excitement of the impending festival hanging thick in Raipur and Manek Chowk, sisters Jasmeet and Amrit Kaur, were busy shopping. "We come here from Shahibaug every year. No mall can ever match up to the complete shopping experience offered by the walled city. We can buy all that we need from spices to clothes here rather than going to ten different places."
Altaf Memon, a dress-material shop owner, who is busy showcasing fancy salwar-kameez, says, "The malls do not affect our customers. We have been around for 15 years and are a known shop. Diwali always brings a big crowd."
Diwali shopping reached its crescendo on Dhanteras on Monday as citizens thronged every shop, mall and market-place for last minute festive shopping. Long queues outside mithai shops, cars parked till kilometers ahead of main marketplaces and not an inch of elbow space in shops greeted the shopping enthusiasts. With Teen Darwaza and Manek Chowk overflowing with shoppers, the entire Ellisbridge that runs up to the main market areas in walled city, was choc-a-bloc with parked cars and scooters..