Onam goes easy on wallet

KOZHIKODE: This year’s  Onam has been joyful on the price front.    Vegetables and  other essential commodities were available at reasonable rates  unlike in previous years.  With shops  giving discounts, even the lower middle class families were able to celebrate  Onam  without financial strain.

Shopping reached a feverish pitch on Thursday ahead of the  celebrations on Friday.   The rain in the morning for almost three hours slightly dampened the — spirits of  some traders , especially the roadside vendors.

All the major commercial hubs in the city, including SM street, Palayam market and Mavoor road,  were  overcrowded with shoppers and  there were traffic blocks also.  Maveli stores, Supplyco,  Triveni outlets and  other  shops  were packed with people  buying essential goods.

The retail prices of cowpea and nendran banana eased to Rs 70 and '63 a kg in Palayam market.

A wholesaler said there was no shortage of vegetables  and sales stood around the normal levels.  Organic vegetables were in demand.  “Hence we also started sourcing vegetables from within Kerala,” he said.

Kerala sarees had come with the latest designs, said Ahamed Jamal, a textile retail vendor.

Customers also bought sarees in bulk for the staff of certain colleges and schools.  The handloom  went for a makeover  with unusual stones and designs printed on it.