Goan customers at a showroom in Belagavi. Captured by : Louis Rodrigues
BELAGAVI
Covid relaxations in Karnataka have prompted Goans in large numbers to visit the Belagavi market primarily for shopping ahead of the Diwali festival.
A number of Goan visitors have been seen since Friday and showrooms have been packed, much to the delight of the business community in Belagavi.
“Since 1957, we have been catering to Goan customers. The last two years have been miserable, but were are delighted to find Goans are flocking our showroom since the last two days. The rush is much that even though were are four family members and staff, we still struggle to handle the rush,” said Manohar Kakade of Arvind Textiles in Maruti Galli.
Rajkumar Khoda of Mangaldeep Showroom said with huge Diwali offers, Belagavi market has become a major attraction for Goans.
“This is good news and we hope this good spell will continue,” Khoda said.
Kamlesh Khoda of the Mafatlal family shop said this is for the first time since two years that the markets are abuzz with Goans.
Mahesh Hattarki of Daffodils at Ramdev Galli, a showroom that caters to readymade garments for kids, said the traders who faced huge losses during the Covid waves are now hoping for a good business.
“We hope that the situation returns to normalcy in the coming days,” Hattarki said.
Meanwhile, Goan customers have also expressed joy after being able to visit showrooms and shops to purchase garments, fresh vegetables, car accessories, etc from the Belagavi market.
“We are here since Friday and are happy to see a wide range of quality garments and other items of our choice that are available at comparatively rates,” said a Goan visitor at a showroom.
