Lucknow: Markets across the city witnessed a surge in footfall over the past week as families stepped out to stock up on essentials, especially for ‘sehri’ and ‘iftar’ (pre-dawn and sunset meals) during the fasting month Ramzan. Shopkeepers said business picked up significantly, with shoppers buying aromatic spices, dry fruits and dates, vermicelli and ‘lachchhe’ (swirls of vermicilli). “Ramzan is not just about fasting, it’s also about togetherness,” said Khalida Parveen, buying dates and fruits at Nakhas market. Vendors reported brisk sales of imported dates, rose syrup, dry fruits and ready-to-cook snacks that were staples during the fasting month. Mahjabeen Bano at Aminabad market, who purchased lachchhe, papad and ready-to-fry snacks, said, “My children love to eat lachchhe in sehri and fried papad in iftar so I have purchased four different varieties of papad and fries”. There were heavy crowds at garment stores too. Storefronts displayed racks of embroidered burqas, abayas (designer veils) and colourful hijabs, while men queued up for kurta-pyjamas and sherwanis and fabric. Associated with spiritual purification and devotion, Ramzan also sees higher sale of religious scriptures and worship-related items such as tasbeeh (rosary), the holy Quran and namaz caps.President of UP Adarsh Vyapar Mandal Sanjay Gupta said, “The sale of clothes, food and ready to cook items has increased in Old City markets like Chowk, Nakhas and Aminabad due to Ramzan.”
