Baishakhi sales pick up in Thakurgaon markets

Different markets in the district town and surrounding areas are buzzing with customers as Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year, draws near.

People are mostly buying babywear, punjabi, fatua, sari, salwar-kameez, cosmetic items, ornaments (both genuine and imitation) and footwear before the festival joined by people irrespective of social classes or creed. 

Expressing happiness with satisfactory sales centring Pahela Baishakh this year, many shop owners expressed hope that their sale on the occasion would comprise around one-fourth of their targeted profit over the year.

During a visit to the shops and boutique houses of North Circular Road, Old Bus Stand areas and markets of Thakurgaon Railway Station in the municipality area on Monday and Tuesday, this correspondent saw shop owners and employees passing busy time amid rush of customers. 

"Like every year, clothing traders have stocked sufficient amount of items including saris, salwar-kameezes, and fatuas ahead of Pahela Baishakh. This year's sale is better than pervious years and we hope to make a good business," said Sohrab Hossain Ashik, owner of Pakija Printing Saree on North Circular Road.

Chandana Das, owner of Karupanya, a popular boutique house in the town, said she has made 2000 pieces of dress including saris, salwar-kameezes, fatuas and baby wear ahead of Pahela Baishakh and over 1500 pieces have already been sold. 

"Last year I could not sell even 500 pieces of clothes during Pahela Baishakh as the market was dull," she said.    

Santosh Agarwal, owner of Santosh Bostraloy, a famous three-piece and saree store in Thakurgaon Station area, said this season their sale saw a rise as the government employees were sanctioned festival bonus for Pahela Baishakh.

"I bought dresses for my two minor sons on the occasion," said Nazmun Nur, headmaster of a government primary school.

Dressmakers are also passing busy time before the traditional festival. 

However, presence of rural people is low in the markets, said shopkeepers.

Low prices of paddy and wheat has kept most of rural customers away from visiting town for Baishakhi shopping, said Md Farid, president of Thakurgaon traders association. 

Md Shafiqul Islam, president of Alpana Sahitya Sangsad, continued organising Baishakhi Mela (fair) on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh on the Public Library premises during the last 31 years.

Like other years, shop owners from different districts including Dhaka, Bogra and Jessore will set up over 200 stalls of different items including handicrafts, books, boutiques, traditional foods, and toys at the mela this year, he hoped.