There I was
sitting in the balcony, sipping some coffee, looking at the street as the moon
dimmed behind the clouds. Unlike any other day, the street was crowded, buzzing
and a lot livelier than the other weekdays. What was so special about this
particular day of the week ?
From the past couple of months people in and
around the locality have a reason to step out every Saturday afternoon and
evening to shop vegetables on the street. The street or the locality becomes a
vegetable mandi every Saturday where vegetable vendors, some local and most of
them from villages pick their spots on the footpath
and begin their sale. I've learnt from them that they go to a different locality every week.
I still
remember the day when this started with a couple of stalls which included
vegetables, fruits and fish. It was not so popular then. But then as the word
spread, there were people from all corners of the locality rushing to purchase
all that they could. I had to take my mom out every Saturday so that she can
pick up some grocery and improve her bargaining skills, and I used to tell her,
don’t bargain so much, leave something for them so that they can earn a bit.
Things have changed
now and looking at the popularity of this weekly mandi, additions have been
made in the form of bandiwallahs selling bangles, slippers, plastic ware and
some crockery items. The crowd too is increasing every week, so are the
sellers. But for those like me who love to sit back and watch some classic
bargaining styles, this is the place to be (Noor Khan Bazar).
