Shopping spree adds colour and glitz to New Year's eve
Source: The Sangai Express / Thanreingam Muivah

Imphal, December 31: Winter season is in our midst.

It is getting colder day by day and each moment drives us closer and closer towards the peak of this winter.

There are some who believe in covering themselves under mounds of blankets and there are others too, who regard shopping to be the best way to beat the chilly spell.

Though Christmas has passed, there are yet many people who seem to expect so much from New Year Celebration and find themselves caught by the grip of shopping fever.

A glance at the commercial cenrtes of Imphal city proves this beyond doubt.

Shoppers' vehicles line up the streets of Imphal on New Year's eve

Like any other occasions, New Year eve witnessed a huge crowd running pillar to post to grab the material of their choice with the best and latest fashion and design in a limited time.

Ninety per cent of them belong to the hill areas of Manipur according to Chaoba, a shopkeeper at Gambhir shopping Arcade who has been in this profession since ten years back.

He said, "We have no discount offer on any item sold here on any occassion since our goods are all imported ones but we feel that customers from all around are dashing to our store for one or other reasons." He averred that showcasing of quality based goods to be one simple reason that icreases the number of customers in this complex and informed that most of the customers this winter are from Churachandpur and Ukhrul.

CH Nick, a student from Pallel with his younger sister who had to rush back home to join the welcome sevice of New Year Celebration expressed his concern about the poor availability of goods in their area and asserted it to be the main reason why they had to come down for shopping in Imphal.

Nick said that New Year shopping is just one moment he has been keeping intact and he will always do in the days to come.

For Shingila, a house wife from Maram, who had to walk along the stretch of Paona Bazar with her daughter carrying couple of blankets on their heads and each hand hanging huge polythene that contain various items, New Year eve is learnt to be the best time to go out for shopping.

She was also pleased to express that Imphal city has become such a wonderful place where items of various design and fashion could be at one's disposal.

Recalling her shopping few years back, she said, she had become familiar with all the places that shopping in Imphal had become so exciting especially on the eve of New Year.

According to AS Ngathingmi, New year Eve is the most exciting time for shopping with family members.

He said such is an ecstasy that has nothing to do with a question of show off or what not, but truly attached with festive mode and the need to count His blessing as we come into the fold of New year.

It's also interesting to learn that the nature of shoppers' choice depends on season.

Prakash, a shopkeeper, who deals with variety of items exclusively meant for ladies revealed that intensity of crowd from one shopping mall to another is seasonal in nature.

Citing an example he said, when Ningol chakouba arrives you will see hordes of shoppers in Ahlugali market, during Holi they are being draged into shopping in Singjamei Super Market, while Gambhir Singh Shopping Arcade is an attraction for the people during Christmas and New Year season, he added.

So shoppers, the next time you stroll out for shopping in any occasion it is suggestable that you check out for the Shoppers Guide, see which shopping mall gives you maximum choice and proceed so that you don't hasten and necessarily cringe at the thought of which one to pick up in the last minute.