Chakkouba sales dip
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 05 2021:
Khwairamband Keithel and BT Road was jam-packed today with crowds shopping for Ningol Chakkouba festival.
Even as shopkeepers and shop owners at the main markets of the Khwairamband complained about the decline in this year's Ningol Chakkouba sale, families with high-spirit for the once-in-a-year festival procured different items till late evening today.
Sanabam Landhoni, one of the women who came to buy gifts (Dakhina) for Ningol Chakkouba said that the textile products were much costlier this year.
She conveyed that she was procuring 'Phanek' and blankets for her sisters-in-law.
Stating that the festival comes once in a year, the 38 year old lady stated that it is the bounden duty of the elders and youngsters of the family to invite their daughters and sisters who had been married to other families for a feast.
When asked about the dying intrinsic values of the festival, she replied that the festival has lots of meaning and one must carry forth the true essence of the festival.
On the other hand, a salesman at Milan Enterprises at Alu Gali asserted that his shop can hardly sell around Rs 40,000 today while claiming that the annual average sale on the day ahead of Ningol Chakkouba during pre-Covid was more than a lakh.
He continued that the buyers of Ningol Chakkouba's gifts used to overcrowd Alu Gali in the previous years, except last year.
Khangembam ongbi Victoria, a fruit seller at Khwairamband temporary market expressed satisfaction that she was able to make sales worth Rs 10,000 by selling apples and bananas today.
She claimed that she had sold bananas approximately worth Rs 25,000 in the last three to four days.
Thingnam Sanjit, a jeweller at the erstwhile temporary market also said that the festive sale was the lowest this year.
Many women fish sellers at Ima Keithel and Alu Gali asserted that they cannot make much profit on their sale this year while claiming that the transportation charge has doubled from the past.