Indian textiles have no effect this year in Satkhira's Eid Bazaar. Demand for local textiles has increased as no Indian textiles have entered Bangladesh. There are overflowing crowds in every market of the town marking ensuing Eid-ul-Fitr.
Buyers are moving in the markets without caring much about the hygiene rules. Vendors say the lack of Indian clothing has increased the demand for domestic clothing. Shopkeepers are also satisfied with higher sales. This year the demand for clothes worth Tk 1000-2000 is quite high. On the other hand, the buyers are satisfied with the native dresses as there is no Indian dress available.
On April 8, Bangladesh government imposed a lockdown to prevent the transmission of Corona virus across the country. As a result, textile traders and shops including shopping malls were closed. In the face of the movement of shopkeepers and employees, a small number of shopping malls and shops were opened on April 26 in compliance with the health rules. On the other hand, traders could not bring any garments from India due to the proliferation of corona in India. This has affected the Eid market.
Expressing satisfaction over the sale of clothes at Meherun Plaza Market in Satkhira, Sohrab Hossain said, "Every day my shop sells for one to one and a half lakh rupees." Buyers demand more Indian clothes than Indian clothes. Most of the buyers are leaning towards local products as the prices of local products are affordable. Moreover, Indian products are not in supply this year.
Zillur Rahman Mithu, owner of Pari Garments behind Satkhira Sadar Police Station, said, "I have failed to pick up enough products due to lockdown in the month of Ramadan." This year, the demand for children's gowns, gowns and cotton clothes is high. There is a high demand for Sarara, Gharara, Lehenga, Cotton Three Piece, Silk Three Piece, Gown, adult’s cotton Punjabi and Kabli pants. If more goods could be picked up in the shop, the sales would increase further.
Sheikh Masum Billah Milton, owner of Palki Sari Ghar in the city, said buyers are buying more printed sari, cotton jamdani and Tangail sari due to the hot weather this year. The price is also much lower. Buyers are buying more saris between Rs 800-2200. I am not selling goods to any buyer without wearing a mask.
Shopping malls and textile markets in the city can be visited; the markets are crowded with shoppers ahead of Eid. People are buying new clothes for their families and relatives. No one cares about hygiene except two shops.
Rabiul Islam is a resident of Alipur village in Satkhira Sadar upazila. She has come to buy new clothes for her family members. Rabiul Islam said the price of clothes this year is much lower than other years. I don't see this year that traders are charging higher prices in the hope of making a profit during Eid. I bought clothes for the house for 3200 rupees.
Buyer Selina Sultana of Rasulpur, Satkhira, said her husband's income had declined due to Corona.
That is why I will buy local clothes to share the happiness of Eid in a small budget.