For the 20-odd dry fruit traders who have come to the city all the way from Kashmir, the 45-day Numaish is more of an opportunity to visit the city of Nawabs.
“My father introduced me to Hyderabad in 1970 when we first set up stall and ever since I have regularly set up stall here. It is like an annual sojourn for me,” says Mohd. Jilani, a merchant from Srinagar.
Most dry fruit traders at the exhibition are from various parts of Jammu and Kashmir, but they are apprehensive about revealing the names of their native towns. “Our friends and relatives look forward to our return, as we take gifts from the city when we return,” says a trader.
They sell varieties of spices and dry fruit, besides oil extracted from dry fruit. One can buy dates, raisins, pistachios, apricot, figs, almonds, cashews, chilgoza from the stalls. “People prefer dry fruit oil for consumption and for massage owing to its medicinal value,” claims Mohd. Kasim, a trader.
The stalls also sell home-grown almonds, walnut and saffron. “The saffron honey is the most sought-after item. It is collected from the forest where many herbs with medicinal value grow and is known for its taste and medicinal value,” says Bilal Ahmed, another merchant.
Though sales at the exhibition are yet to pick up, dry fruit stalls have started attracting customers. “People look forward to visiting our stalls, and unlike other cities we get a warm response here. Also, we have held our repute by selling quality products every year,” says Mohammed Shareef, a trader.
