Old city markets gear up for Ramzan

Hectic activity is seen across the older parts of the city where the holy month is much awaited

Hyderabad: With nearly a fortnight left for the Islamic month of Ramzan to begin, hectic activity is seen across the older parts of the city where the holy month is much awaited and observed with piety.

In the last two years, not much festive fervour was witnessed in view of the Covid triggered lockdowns and restrictions imposed by the authorities.

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“There literally was no business during the last two festive seasons. This season we hope and pray that things go well,” said Old City Traders Association, president Abid Mohiuddin.

As a practice, several families do shopping for the Ramzan festival before the beginning of the month itself so as to spend more time in prayers and religious activities during the holy month. Taking into account the practice, several traders have sourced merchandise from suppliers and displayed it in the stores.

“Shopping is slowly picking up and will gradually increase as the month nears. Apart from local population we get customers from neighbouring Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh as well and we hope they also turn up this season,” said Mohd Faisal, a businessman.

However, reports of a spurt in fresh cases of Covid in some parts of the world is causing anxiety among the business community here. Apart from the 8,000 odd traders who run businesses from shops at Charminar, Madina Building, Pathergatti, Devan Dewdi, Laad Bazaar, Moti Galli and Gulzar Houz, there are a few more thousand who set up temporary kiosks on the roadside and pushcarts. The temporary stalls provide seasonal employment to thousands of persons throughout the month.

“In last two years there was not much business due to Covid and lockdowns and we landed in financial problems. Some encouraging business in the month will help us tide over the financial crisis,” hopes Junaid Ahmed, who sets up a crockery store at Pathergatti road.

Another point of worry for the traders is the ongoing ‘Numaish’, at the exhibition grounds. “If the event runs into Ramzan month then it will affect the local business at Pathergatti. So we will be careful in pricing our products,” he said.

Meanwhile, the traders at the Begum Bazaar have already started getting truckloads of dates imported from different countries to meet the demand during the Ramzan season. Tens of tonnes of dates arrive in the city from the Middle East and other neighbouring countries.

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