Kozhikode: One glance at SM Street, known as one of the largest shopping spaces of the district, will never let you know that the district has just faced one of the biggest calamities ever. The street was packed with people from different parts of Malabar, just like any Bakrid or Onam eve.
Shop owners, who were worried about sales this year due to the biggest calamity that washed off many houses and created damages, looked a happy lot after the city picked up its business pace soon after the calamity.
Street vendors also had a good time this year and also opined that sales in the past few days were even better than the Ramzan sales, which was in the midst of the Nipah virus fear. Street vendors have lined up on the footpath selling a range of items ranging from clothing to fancy ornaments and sandals.
Shops ranging from vegetables to textiles are doing brisk business and with three more days left for Thiruvonam, traders expect good sales this year. “The sales in the past two days was indeed much better than we expected”, said Hamsa Koya, who owns an exclusive men’s collection at SM Street.
“Along with the usual festival sales, this time we are seeing a lot of people who are ready to purchase things in bulk quantities for relief camps, which includes t-shirts and trousers. We are trying our best to sell garments at reasonable rates to those people who wants such clothes in bulk,” he further added.
Supplyco’s and Khadi’s Onam-Bakrid Fair started in several parts of the city are also seeing brisk business. Officials from the Khadi board also said that there has been good demand for Khadi handbags and covers from several shops, replacing plastic bags, which is also helping women to earn a good livelihood.
Warm reception for mighty fishers
A warm reception was accorded to members of the fishermen community who returned on Tuesday after the rescue mission in Ernakulam and Pathanamthitta districts. District Collector U.V. Jose himself came down to honour the fishermen referring them as ‘state’s own army’ during the rescue mission. In total, 33 fishermen from Kozhikode participated in the rescue mission who went along with boats.
Expressing gratitude for the reception and good words, team leader M. Radhakrishnan said that the fishermen community is happy that they got a chance to serve the state. “Even though we had risked our lives, all of us are happy and proud to be part of the mission”, he said.
