Night-long shopping on Chand Raat unlikely

Early closure of markets rules out rush on henna, bangle stalls

ISLAMABAD: The women of Islamabad are likely to experience a bland Chaand Raat this year due to the coronavirus lockdown.

The bustling markets adorned with lightening and buntings that used to remain open late after midnight for customers to fill their last minute shopping needs are shut this year.

The last run to bazaars thronged with buyers on the eve of the Eid is not going to happen as the markets close at 10pm. The district administration has pushed ahead the closing time by hours, otherwise it was 5pm.

Further relaxation in timings has allowed markets and shopping malls to stay open till 10pm. Shoppers and shopkeepers both were overjoyed with the relaxation.

Do we really need to run to the markets for Eid shopping, asks Sanam Saeed

The main rush of buyers will now come after Iftar when the blazing sun sets down and the weather is bearable, said a shopkeeper. It was becoming impossible for people to shop while fasting in sweltering heat.

The women shoppers are dismayed to learn that the bangle stalls would not be open serving them throughout the night on this Chand Raat. The cultural tradition of getting henna designs on hands has also fallen victim of social distancing and SOPs for preventing the spread of coronavirus.

The night-long mehndi stalls would not be set up due to the lockdown restrictions. Moreover, the beauty parlors that booked clients weeks in advance for the big are also going to pull down the shutters before sunset.

The bazaars that hummed on the day before Eid would remain silent after the sunset, which is thus unprecedented for the shoppers.

Eid shopping: citizens throng markets

A shopkeeper of Abpara market, Rehan, criticised the government for its inactive lockdown policies. He cited that the daylight timings were not suitable for women shoppers, particularly those who fast. Rehan added that most of the shoppers used to rush markets after iftar, lamenting that this isn't happening this year. The makeshift stalls that sprout up in the last 10 days would not be there this year.

The shopkeeper informed that the artificial jewelry was imported from India, henna from Lahore, and bangles from Karachi. “Since the train service was closed, the cost of products has gone up as they are being delivered to Islamabad from other sources,” Rehan said.

Customers including Zainab Abbasi and Hania told The Express Tribune that the rates of henna cones and bangles have increased by almost 70 per cent. “A henna cone which was available in Rs50 is now selling for Rs80,” Zainab said.

The bangles of normal quality are available in Rs100, much higher than what their rates were last year. Those of good quality are selling for up to whopping Rs2,000. Hania said that the prices of henna and bangles on roadside stalls are usually lower than the shops.

Markets may reopen for Eid shopping in Rawalpindi

With Eidul-Fitr is just around the corner, sale of colourful funky and clinking glass bangles and 'cone Mehdi ' has picked up momentum in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi as henna and bangles are considered cultural must for Eid.

A number of Stalls selling cone Mehndi and glass bangles are doing roaring business these days, as these two items are most popular with girls.

"Matching glass bangles with dress make me feel special on every Eid" said a 13 years girl. A woman selecting bangles said: “What is Eid without henna and bangles.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2020.