By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, March 25, 2025 (BSS)- Brisk shopping gains a peak, making the
economy vibrant with only six to seven days left for Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the
biggest religious festivals of the Muslims, in the city and its adjacent
areas.

Basically, Rajshahi city has been caught up in Eid shopping fever with modern
and traditional shopping malls bustling with shoppers from all strata.
 
Thousands of people are thronging markets with enthusiasm, encouraged by a
significant decrease in clothing prices compared to last year.
 
Brisk business is going on from the sidewalks of various busy intersections
in the city to the elite and aristocratic shopping malls, super markets,
sales centres and departmental shops, which were decorated with colorful
lights.
 
Many floating hawkers have set up temporary tables and arranged stalls of
various types of clothing and other Eid items across the city's main streets.
 
Many of them are selling various types of clothing in rickshaw-vans. Along
with the lower class, the middle class is also rushing to these shops on the
sidewalks.
 
Hawkers have arranged various types of stalls including clothes, sandals,
shoes, pants-shirts, three-pieces, sarees, lungis, punjabis, children's
clothes, hats, perfumes and more on both sides of the city streets from early
morning to midnight.

The brisk business has generated a hope of trade volume worth Taka 350 crore
during the current eid-shopping in the city.

Tariqul Islam, a cloth-trader at Shaheb Bazar, said he had not faced any
untoward situation from the first day of Ramadan.

"We are doing brisk business ahead of the forthcoming Eid but the shoppers
are facing an embarrassing situation due to the chaotic traffic jam," said
Shafiqul Islam, another businessman at RDA market.
 
Saidul Islam, owner of Laboni Saree Ghar at Rajshahi New Market, said the
volume of sales is much higher this year.
Popular items include Salwar-Kameez for girls, sarees with embroidery and
stone work, punjabis, shirts, and footwear, with products from local fashion
houses drawing the most attention.
 
Shopping centers, including RDA Market, New Market, and Sonadighi Silk
Market, are witnessing heavy crowds, with buyers actively bargaining for the
best deals.
 
Adolescents and young women are particularly drawn to three-piece dresses in
trending designs of the year.

Buyers from affluent backgrounds are selecting items without concern for
price, while middle and lower-income groups are bargaining with sellers to
get the best deals.
 
Traders remain optimistic, expecting sales to increase further as Eid
approaches.

Manufacturing and marketing of silk clothes become vibrant on the eve of holy
Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the largest religious festivals for the Muslims, as the
clothing showrooms are seen bustling with the silk buyers in the region
famous for quality silk production.
 
With the eye-catching colour and design of the silk attires, a large number
of people especially the adolescents are humming towards the showrooms to
collect their best choice.

According to sources, silk wear worth Taka 40-45 crore is expected to be sold
during this Eid season.

Silk fabrics, woven and designed by local artisans, are in huge demand in the
Eid markets of the city, with the affluent people rushing to the city silk
showrooms every day. The silk industry in Rajshahi is witnessing a boom, with
showrooms packed with eager customers.
 
The manufacturing and marketing of silk clothes have become vibrant on the
eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, with factories operating round the clock to meet rising
demand. Employees are working tirelessly day and night, especially in BSCIC
silk factories and the government silk factory.
 
"Sales are relatively high this year, and the workload is also heavy," said
Samrat Ali, a Rajshahi silk artisan, adding that sarees, three-pieces, and
punjabis remain the most sought-after items.
 
Salesmen of different markets, footpaths, makeshift sales centers are busy
from morning to midnight as shoppers of all ages gather there.
 
"I'm purchasing ladies and gents wear, cosmetics and some food items this
time to avoid the last moment's unusual public rush and chaotic traffic jam,"
said Monjuara Khatun, a resident of Tikapara, while talking to BSS at Shaheb
Bazar on Monday.
 
Market sources said the overall sale was much higher this year because of
further improvement in the economic condition of people from all classes.
 
Deployment of additional law enforcers at different points and market places
and engagement of private security men at shopping malls by the authorities
concerned have ultimately created a fool-proof security arrangement for
businessmen as well as shoppers.
 
Rajshahi Metropolitan Traffic Police said movement of thousands of battery-
run auto-rickshaw has deteriorated the traffic situation here though the
situation is so far better.

The RMP traffic department also blocked most of the intersections in front of
all markets and shopping malls to ensure uninterrupted movement of vehicles.
 
Nur Alam Siddiqui, deputy commissioner (Traffic) in RMP, said they have set
up police boxes beside the gates of all busy markets and the police officials
are sincerely making people aware about the traffic system all the time.