Rain played spoilsport for many a woman who wished to visit the ongoing 72nd All India Industrial Exhibition on Tuesday, the customary women's day as declared by the Exhibition Society for this year.
It has been a practice for the Society to declare one day every year exclusively for women, and restrict entry to women and children alone on that particular day. This year, Tuesday was the chosen day for the women and the same was publicised through news media.
However, crowds were sparse even at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, the usual hour of hubbub for the stalls. Women largely chose to remain indoors as it began raining at about 5 p.m., the exhibition's opening hour. Many visitors remaining unaware of the announcement was another reason for the sparse crowds, sellers said.
“Though it was publicised, many people are not aware that today is exclusive for women. Many who came with spouses had to return as men were denied entry. This happens every year,” Habibuddin, a seller of fancy jewellery complained.
However, it was a jolly day out for those visiting the Numaish, as the spacious grounds offered scope for a leisurely stroll and unhurried window shopping. Babies squealing from perambulators and toddlers in tow brought cheer to the environs. By 9 p.m., the crowds swelled reasonably. Women were seen gathering at stalls displaying jewellery, cosmetics, crockery, dry fruits and kids' wear.
Tough bargainers
Stall keepers were not the happy lot. The most heard complaint was about women being tough bargainers when visiting in groups. “A woman intending to buy would bring along her husband. Most who come in groups just bargain till it is no longer viable, and walk off,” complained Haroon Mohammed, another shop keeper at Kashmiri stalls.
Women too had their reason for this behaviour. This early in the exhibition, the prices are quoted rather high, they say.
“Every year, I make it a point to visit on the day exclusive for women. However, I only use the opportunity to scan the products at leisure. Actual buying, I do in the last week when prices would be slashed drastically. Similar is the case with many women,” said Y. Jhansi, a woman visiting from Ramnagar.
