Tamil Nadu

Festival shopping in Karur reaches crescendo

KARUR: Festival shopping in Karur reached a crescendo on Tuesday with just a day to go for Deepavali. People thronged all establishments _ be it the modest sweetmeat shops or gorgeous gold jewellery houses dotting the main Jawahar Bazaar.

Thankfully the rain gods showed some mercy on pavement vendors who have been doing good sales for the past couple of days.

Jawahar Bazaar remained out-of-bounds for four-wheelers for the past few days and navigating the crowded street on two-wheelers became difficult as the D-day drew closer. Teeming crowds went on a seemingly endless shopping spree.

While mostly people here prefer Tiruchi and Coimbatore for major shopping, especially ahead of festivals, this time the textile and dress material shops in Karur are drawing huge crowds and doing brisk business.

That is not the case with the shops selling fireworks and crackers. There are fewer shops this time round.

Public perception that the pyrotechnics are cost-prohibitive has resulted in a lukewarm response to cracker shops. Temporary shops that sell crackers are fewer.

Grocery shops and department shops have been doing a roaring business and many have even announced discounts for huge purchases.

Police have installed cameras at vantage points to keep a tight vigil on the crowds and mischief-mongers.

Festive atmosphere, free flow of cash, milling crowds and other aiding factors allow the criminals more operating space than is usual.

Police personnel have been posted in strength on the main roads and traffic regulation has been pretty good this time around, save for stray incidents.

With agriculture having given good returns and industry mostly on the upsurge, save for the strong rupee, the effect of which is yet to percolate to the worker level, the public is preparing themselves to enjoy the holidays ahead.

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