Five reasons to sparkle this Diwali

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">NEW DELHI: The markets are down, the shops aren''t crowded enough and the economy is not promising. But that''s no surety that Diwali will be quieter and cleaner. So, is there any reason for us to celebrate the festival of lights this year? <br />Plenty. We can think of at least five, straightaway. Used well, the following five factors can be more than a boon: More markets and shops will remain open till late: But that''s a yearly affair, right? Wrong.Look at it this way. <br />Earlier, this was a three-day phenomenon. But this time, thanks to the state labour department''s experiment, many shops will be open till 10 pm for three months! Enough time for us to comfortably pace our shopping plans for the entire season, right till New Year.<br />About five market associations and 500 individual shop owners have already sought permission to stagger their closing time till 10 pm. About 80 shop owners in Connaught Place have sought permission to keep shops open till 10 pm. The market associations include those in shopping destinations like Vikas Marg, Moti Nagar, Sarojini Nagar and Karol Bagh. <br />Individual shop owners in Connaught Place, Ansal Plaza and Lajpat Nagar have joined in the celebrations and will work till late this season.<br />For Gandharv Kohli, a security specialist with Wipro, the turn of events couldn''t be more propitious. "My wife is working too, and both of us get home only by 9 pm. Even shopping for basic items like groceries used to be difficult. No we go on a drive late at night and shop till our heart''s content," said Kohli.<br />Now that brings us to what to buy in the first place. Is there anything new?<br />More to choose from: We don''t have to shop for Diwali only. Discounts are aplenty, so let''s shop for the season. There are the regulars like clothes, draperies, tapestry and the seasonal favourites, electronics goods. <br />But there''s a hot new trend in the jewellery market as well.Designer jewellery is giving tough competition to traditional chunky stuff, which was bought more as a form of wealth than an accessory. <br />Giving gold a run for its money are a girl''s best friend, diamonds. Mukesh Kohli owns a gold and diamond jewellery shop in Karol Bagh and is offering discounts between 15 and 20 per cent to his customers. Kamini Singh, a shopper in Karol Bagh, said, "Although gold is treated as money the world over, adulteration here makes it an unreliable investment. Diamonds, therefore, have emerged as a safer option."<br />And there''s more to these attractive gifts.<br />The packaging gets better: In fact, all traditional rituals during Diwali now come in a package deal. Even places like Khadi Gram Udyog in CP are offering some quick fix solutions for fast-paced couples. Like a thaali, with idols of Ganesh and Laxmi, diyas and puja essentials, all packed and ready to use. <br />And besides offering packages of three cassettes for Rs 100, shops have also lined up cassettes with mantras and bhajans recorded for the occasion. Also, diyas and candles, the mainstay of the festival, are getting upmarket and fashionable. Floating candles are the latest this season. They last for a few hours but float beautifully on water. <br />"According to Feng Shui and Vaastu Shastra, a floating candle is supposed to be a good omen," said a shopkeeper in CP. Priyanka Singh, who came from Karol Bagh to Dilli Haat, said: "I used these candles during Dussehra in my house and they looked beautiful. I will light them on Diwali too."<br />Now that brings us to the cake of the season.<br />It''s an extended weekend this time: For once, thank God it''s Monday. Add to that the weekend and it''s perfect time for a short getaway. Sunil Kumar, who runs an agency that arranges trips to off-beat destinations, has had a roaring business this season. "Thanks to the long weekend, business this year is up by 75 per cent. Trips to places like Nainital and Corbett are sold out," he said.<br />It can be fun time this weekend. And for many of us, what''s fun without downing a few pegs with friends?<br />There are many more pubs this season: The new excise policy has made sale and purchase of liquor easier. This year has seen opening of 54 new outlets, which include 21 for country liquor, 13 for IMFL and 20 licences for restaurants to sell liquor. According to the excise department, 49 of the 70 constituencies in Delhi did not have a single liquor vend. Now 15 of the "dry" areas have got at least one. <br />Swaptarishi, regional manager with a foreign educational consultancy, is looking forward to going with friends for a drink. "One of us has been assigned to get the liquor. Now we have many more outlets," he said.<br />(<span style="" font-style:="" italic="">With inputs from Hena Shah</span>) </div> </div>