Hope you guys remember ‘RAMA MARKET’..that old hub for ‘cut pieces’.. a den for cheap goods with lots of interesting bargain thrown in.I still remember ladies of Indira Gandhi’s socialist era in 80s going in in this circular market with every inch of space utilized productively, haggling for the last penny and giving a look only witches of Yorkshire are capable of to the vendor for a negotiation gone awry..vendor not to be left behind coolly packs back the goods in non chalantly way only to take a conciliatory step calling behind “ Bahenji chalo aao..aapki rahi”.
As you used to walk the chicken neck entry space..all Ajay mendies villagers from Bannu and Bahawalpur in West Punjab now in Pakistan in their third generation from the coops of space owned by them ..showcasing their wares and calling out to visitors in sweetest voice“ Aoji Bahi saab’…if you still happen to walk through without showing any interest his neighbor would certainly call “ dekhne ke paise nahin lagte didi” others would call “ Chiffon hai..georgette hai..Cotton hai”..i can bet best shirt with anyone you would not have sailed past the third vendor, such was the direct selling tactics these guys had.
Market still stands testimony to grit and determination of an enterprising community….hell bent on overcharging you for the sub standard goods, fourth generation now work on same space.Quality of wares is top notch again a testimony to rising tastes of Indian consumer looking for a bargain on side, there were Darjis or ladies tailor working besides or attached to a clothes shop working better and maniacally than militarily run garment factories and churning out suits after suit within hours, ,it tells about changing scenario I remember a time in late 80s paltan bazaar seemed almost dead..the charm had gone out ..and now everything is changing infact if you happen to visit same place after a gap you may have difficultly identifing same and this holds true for whole of India.
As you used to walk the chicken neck entry space..all Ajay mendies villagers from Bannu and Bahawalpur in West Punjab now in Pakistan in their third generation from the coops of space owned by them ..showcasing their wares and calling out to visitors in sweetest voice“ Aoji Bahi saab’…if you still happen to walk through without showing any interest his neighbor would certainly call “ dekhne ke paise nahin lagte didi” others would call “ Chiffon hai..georgette hai..Cotton hai”..i can bet best shirt with anyone you would not have sailed past the third vendor, such was the direct selling tactics these guys had.
Market still stands testimony to grit and determination of an enterprising community….hell bent on overcharging you for the sub standard goods, fourth generation now work on same space.Quality of wares is top notch again a testimony to rising tastes of Indian consumer looking for a bargain on side, there were Darjis or ladies tailor working besides or attached to a clothes shop working better and maniacally than militarily run garment factories and churning out suits after suit within hours, ,it tells about changing scenario I remember a time in late 80s paltan bazaar seemed almost dead..the charm had gone out ..and now everything is changing infact if you happen to visit same place after a gap you may have difficultly identifing same and this holds true for whole of India.
3 comments:
I completely missed paltan baazar visit this time. I still distinctly remember many evenings we strolled down the busy market. Some favorite stops were Laxmi dosa waala, kotwaali book shops, and of course the side lane kabaadi baazar was our favorite. Then in late 80s a restaurant also came up towards the clock tower end. They served good chinese. Not sure if it's still there. We were more frequest visitors of Kamal market with Girdhari lal amba prasad and kamal jewellers as our favorite vendors. And of course there is Amar sons selling top notch local brands at highly inflated prices making sure to insult you if you try to bargain too much.
I certainly make it a point to collect Bakery consummables from Doon...'Sunrise ' used to be a good place to savour delights.
Gurgaon has many a modern baekries,Franchise of english/french bakeries.American coffee chains like Costa ....but still you'll notice quite a few of them stock Rusks of "Elloras" and these sell out immedaitely.Doon certainly is going places.
One of the less pop ones is the one run by Sardarji on Tilak road across police chaowki. Jainis of Tilak road enjoy the eggless bisuits made here. He makes them custom for you using the flour you provide. We have been able to find a lower grade replica of it here in the US. I think Sardarji's shop has now given way to a mall...the story of 'growing' India.
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