Silk fest fails to draw shoppers

Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, April 22

The ongoing exhibition of silk and cotton traders under the theme ‘Shopping Fest-19’ at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall, being organised to promote world famous hand knitted designs, including block printed fabric, Koa fabric, Cikan, cotton and silk fabrics by artisans from across the country, has failed to serve the purpose as only 50 to 70 residents have attended the fest so far.

The shopping fest which started on April 20 will conclude on April 30.

Sources claimed that as there had been back-to-back exhibitions at the venue in the past two months, and in every exhibition the Rajasthani products were on sale. Therefore, residents seems to have got bored of visiting the same stalls.

“There should be a gap of nearly one month after every exhibition or expo. Recently there was Baisakhi exhibition and Trade expo, which too received nominal response.”

“This fest was inaugurated three days ago. There was a time when customers used to come in a large number during all days of the fest on previous occasions because they find our products cheap and designers are not easily available in in the state,” said Ajay, a stall owner from Lucknow.

He said he had been in the business for the past five years. Hand-knitted Lakhnavi suits are very much in demand all over the country. But he has not made any sale in the past three days.

“Last time, when the shopping fest was organised, all stall owners earned a handsome profit. We then had earned profit more than our expectation, but this time it is almost nil,” said another stall owner Sarvesh Kumar from Mumbai.

He said: “He has special Chikan embroidery suits ranging from Rs 600 to Rs 2,100, and despite such low cost, the sale is average.”

The stall owners also appealed to the organisers to promote the shopping fest by distributing pamphlets among residents.