Azadi festivities: Green frenzy hits peak

Flags, badges, T-shirts, shorts and masks plus blow-horns high in demand

ISLAMABAD: The buying frenzy for national flags, badges, hats and masks in green and white theme and horns was at peak on the eve of Independence Day.

Footpath stalls were doing a roaring business, trying to sell whatever they have as the entire inventory would go waste on August 15.

Besides flags and badges, the horns have gained popularity among revelrs planning to hit the roads on I-Day night to celebrate freedom. Masks of characters like Guy Fawkes and Jason Voorhees of Friday the 13th Movie. Jason’s mask comes accompanied with a national flag coloured club.



Green and white dresses too are popular. Though, some saner sections of the society were seen arguing against manufacture and sale of green trousers with stars and crescents.



Not to be left behind, the bangles and accessories makers have jumped the wagon too. Green and white bangles, hair clips, pony tails, stoles, scarfs and even Sindhi caps were selling like hot cakes.

Girls were seen dressing up and accessorising for school and college functions in green and white.

The more funky youth were flaunting their style with green and with wigs, goggles and funny moustaches.

Nevertheless, the shopping spree was at its height on Monday. Most of the footpaths in the busy areas of the federal capital have been filled with makeshift shops, targeting motorists for making brisk business during the Independence Day shopping frenzy.

Hanif Javed who came to buy a T-shirt for his child, said, one shouldn't look down upon the footpath stall. Good products are available here at a cheap rate. Makeshift vendors on alongside roads said the footpath business has gained momentum every day with the start of August, which usually multiplied in the last seven days to the August 14.

Another buyer, Fouzia Mukhtar said: “we are coming to the footpath for shopping as the prices of items are cheap comparing to shops and malls.

The roadside vendors were however encroaching on public places. The makeshift shops on greenbelts and footpaths were encroachment, but the CDA turns a blind eye to this two-week bazaar.



High end malls turn green

Various local and international clothing brands have been offering retail items at discounted rates in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to celebrate Independence Day in a befitting manner with its customers. The demand for green and white themed dresses has increased amid national flags adorning buildings markets and cars.

During a visit to various famous malls and markets in the twin cities, a huge rush of buyers were witnessed buying clothes and other accessories offered by different outlets at lowered prices. The residents of twin cities have expressed pleasure over the business community and prominent brands for announcing special discounts to celebrate Independence Day. The business strategy has received a positive response from the residents of the twin cities.

Furthermore, the demand for national songs has also reached its peak in various markets of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi amid Independence Day celebrations. The shopkeepers of CDs, audios and videos have expressed pleasure that Independence Day celebrations have brought them a lot of business.



The shopkeepers said that national songs of famous singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan are in high demand these days, followed by other famous singers' including Noor Jahan, Mehdi Hassan, Munawar Sultana, Saleem Raza, Mehdi Zaheer, Abida Perveen, Ali Zafar, Arif Lohar, Atif Aslam, Shehzad Roy, Fakhir, Haroon and Saira Peter.

During visits to various markets it was observed that most national flags stall owners and motorists on the roads were playing national songs to pay tribute to our national heroes. On special occasions like Independence Day, the catchy patriotic melodies playing at the every corner of the streets, in rushing vehicles and on screens installed inside and outside of the houses, malls, roundabouts, grounds and other places, are enough to lift up the passion of patriotism and fervency to serve the homeland.



Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2018.