Incessant rains hit festive market in Silchar

 FROM OUR Correspondent

Silchar, April 3: Perhaps no other reason than the incessant and unprecedented heavy rain could have irked and irritated the Bengali people of this town. Owing to the incessant and heavy downpours, it has become impossible for dealers, sellers and the people to engage in buying and selling of various items during the Chaitra sale. Shop owners and sellers come out on the streets for selling their items as they have been doing all through these years during the Chaitra sale. Rain is most likely to play the role of a villain in this year’s Chaitra sale which is also known as stock clearance sale. Usually, it starts early in the Bengali month of Chaitra.

 Only a handful of stalls covered with tarpaulin and large canvas are seen. Rain has dampened the spirit of the consumers. The streets and footpaths which used to be crowded on during the Chaitra sale days are empty and bare. It is also known as Chaitra reduction sale. But due to the continuous downpour, reduction market has been hit and affected badly. During reduction sale, a large number of people are normally seen engaged in buying dresses, shoes, bags and all other commodities and products. However, this year the story is different. Rain has indeed challenged the very rrative of Chaitra sale and has dampened people’s spirit and enthusiasm. People are water locked and are uble to come out for buying anything.

 According to the weather report, heavy rains and thunderstorms are likely to affect Barak Valley in the coming days. This has already set the alarm bell ringing. The pre monsoon showers have crippled normal life and also affected the reduction sale market to a huge extent. Of late, the worsening weather conditions have made life miserable and wretched for the people. They are uble to even step out from their respective houses. Heavy rains have been lashing the valley. It has submerged vast streets and areas of the valley. The clogging of drains and lacking of proper planning have resulted in such a precarious situation.

 There is a palpable tension among the people regarding Chaitra sale. As the day of Poila Baishak, the first day of the Bengali New Year, is fast approaching, people are growing anxious about the reduction sale which is one of the most important times of the year. The sad and gloomy faces of the dealers, shop owners, shopkeepers and sellers reflect their minds. During the period of the month of Chaitra, they sell out all of their items at a much reduced price. But heavy rains have away their hopes and aspirations. People have kept their fingers crossed and are praying to the Rain God to stop showering more rains.

 It should be mentioned here that owing to the heavy downpours, residents of this town also failed to visit and take pleasure in the 67th Gandhi Mela and Exhibition which was held at rsingh Higher Secondary School playground. The incessant rain has submerged the ground as a result of which the stalls owners had to incur heavy losses since they could not sell their items as they were expecting to do. It can be stated that if this incessant rain continues, stock clearance market will hardly come to life.