Gulf crisis casts shadow on sales, spirit & shopping at walled city’s Ramzan markets

Bhopal: Gulf conflict cast its shadow on Ramazan shopping, leaving Chowk Bazaar glowing with lights but quieter than usual in the city.Families came out with the same enthusiasm, yet many held back from spending. A shopkeeper remarked, "The stalls are full, but customers are far and few. People are uneasy about what lies ahead." One of the clearest effects was on Ramazan shopping in Bhopal, where many families depend on remittances from relatives working abroad. RBI's 2023–24 survey shows MP received about 0.9% of India's inward remittances — roughly Rs 6,600 crore — a sharp rise from the pandemic years. Remittances are not just numbers here; they shape how households plan their festivals. A sizeable number of people from the city work in the Middle East, and in colonies like Koh-e-Fiza, second and even third generations continue that tradition. For them, the Gulf is not distant — it is part of everyday life, and its uncertainties ripple straight into their kitchens and markets.Cloth sellers noticed the strain. Vinod Agarwal of Girdhari Lal Kanhaiya Lal store said, "The market has been dull, far more than we anticipated." A dry fruit seller added, "There has been a shift in mood in the last week. Most are holding back."Asif, a tailor remarked, "People assume working abroad means plenty of money, but most savings have dried up. Even flight tickets are way more expensive now." Women too adjusted their plans. Mumtaz, a mother of three, explained, "With uncertainty all around, it feels wiser to save and avoid spending on nonessentials."The crowds were thinner than usual. The talk in Bhopal's patiyas this Ramazan isn't just about kebabs or cricket — it's the conflict in the Middle East. Most fear the consequences could last longer than anticipated, with unskilled workers bearing the brunt of whatever economic adjustments follow.