Vijayawada: Shopping malls and other business establishments in the city have started offering special discounts and schemes, especially on garments, in view of Krishna pushkaralu.
People of Krishna and Guntur districts are getting ready to gift new clothes to their relatives as part of the festivities. This age-old custom is diligently followed every pushkaralu.
It is this custom that the clothe merchants hope to encash on, and are hoping that their cash registers will keep on ringing till the end of the festival. Business establishments are competing with each other, coming up with discounts and / or free offers to entice customers.
The wide array of publicity material designed to attract potential buyers is adding to the colourful atmosphere prevailing in the city. Almost every vantage point, including buses and commercial vehicles, is being utilised to publicise the offers.
While several shopping malls have announced discounts ranging from 15 per cent to 50 per cent as Krishna pushkaralu offers, others have come up with offers selling clothes based on their weight.
P. Ashok, a native of Vellaturu village near by Mylavaram town, who runs a small business establishment, said that he bought a saree and got another saree free under the Krishna pushkaralu offer. He said that quite a few shops have made the offer, while others have other attractive offers that people find too hard to resist.
K. Vaishali of LIC Colony said that her husband’s sisters presented new clothes to her family in advance for Krishna pushkaralu. She said her husband has also invited his sisters and will offer sarees to them. Ms Vaishali said that it is one of the traditions that is followed by people of all socio-economic status.
J. Srinivasa Rao, a floor manager in a shopping mall, said that the business was gradually picking up and the traders community expected more sales.
He said that some prefer to donate clothes on the occasion in the name of their departed relatives and ancestors.
1,000 additional medical staff for festival: Minister
The state health department will deploy 1,000 additional medical staff for Krishna pushkaralu. The government has planned to increase 50 beds in all government hospitals in the three districts.
Health minister Kamineni Srinivas on Monday reviewed the pushkaralu arrangements with officials of the health department. He instructed the officials to finalise a special dress so that the on-duty staff could be easily identified.
The Indian Medical Association will also would extend cooperation for this purpose. Mr Srinivas said that the government would provide accommodation to the health department staff who take part in pushkaralu duties. Several private colleges and schools have already been identified for their accommodation, he said.
The minister said that all required health services, including ambulances and other emergency equipment, would be setup at pushkar ghats. Principal secretary P. Malakondaiah, director Samuel Anand, special officer Rajasekhar, district collector A. Babu were present.
