Change of seasons : Jhelum braces for winter

Prices of essentials such as firewood, coal, gas cylinders and quilts skyrocket

JHELUM:

As the temperature continues to fall in the lower Potohar region, seasonal changes have started to appear in Jhelum with stalls for crispy, fried jalebis popping up while the rush on wood, coal and gas cylinder stores has started to increase.

Some fog also lingers on the roads early in the mornings, reducing visibility.

With the nights turning cold, traders of firewood, coal, and gas cylinders have started fleecing the public amid rising demand for these products. The rates of quilts have also started increasing complementing demand.

Every winter, the pressure with which piped gas is supplied by the utility, falls. This means that using any gas-powered appliances becomes nearly impossible. This forces locals to purchase fuel from alternative sources such as firewood or coal for more traditional stoves and ovens or even metal cylinders filled with gas which can then power regular stoves.

Not only does the alternative fuel help power stoves for cooking, but they also help power the alternative heating contraptions to stay warm during the freezing winter.

Given rising demands for such fuel, vendors arbitrarily increase their prices, adding to inflationary pressures.

Residents have urged the district administration to look into the matter.

Winter quilts

The rates of quilts and blankets, both new and used, have shot up drastically with drop-in mercury levels.

Flea markets of the city have been flooded with local and imported varieties of winter products such as jackets, scarves, gloves and sweaters.

Synthetic quilts imported from Korea are amongst the most expensive quilts. As a result, many who live at the bottom of the social ladder have turned to purchasing from the large variety of second-hand quilts which have been imported from other countries in the world.

Residents said that unlike previous years, the price gap between new and used products has narrowed. They said they preferred imported second-hand quilts, blankets over locally made due to the stark difference in the quality.

Some second-hand quilt vendors conceded that they sell at a higher price but quickly added that sometimes, they receive blankets and quilts of a higher quality than new ones available in the market while at other times they receive them in very good condition. Hence, such products are always sold at a comparatively higher rate than the normal fare.

Crisp, sweet jalebis

Amidst the cold weather, there is a growing demand for hot and crispy jalebis which have been dipped in the heavy sugar syrup (sheera).

One of the most popular outlets in the district is the Amin Jalebi Shop near Graveyard Chowk. Not only do locals frequent it, but people travel to Jhelum from adjoining districts and cities to taste his jalebis.

Rizwan, who owns the store told The Express Tribune that his father had started the business and he later inherited it. Over time, it flourished as word of their quality and taste spread.

He added that they have had to work very hard to maintain the taste and quality of their product. As part of that, the biggest battle and perhaps the secret to a successful business has been uncompromising cleanliness.

Another secret, Rizwan said, was the use of good quality sugar, flour, and cooking oil to prepare the delicacy, adding that quality is something he does not compromise on.

“A large number of prominent figures of the area like to eat jalebis prepared at my shop,” Rizwan said, adding that people from across the district frequent his store.

 

 

 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2020.