Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: It’s Christmas time; it’s also business time. On the eve of Christmas, malls in the city became show pieces decked with lighting, shiny thingummies and Christmas trees.
Forum mart and Pantaloons have decorated the entire building in Christmas themes and are offering discounts to boot on almost all their stocks. Many are trooping in to avail the benefits the festival season offers.
“I like the festive seasons and shopping becomes enjoyable when there are crowds milling about.
And yes the discounts are an added attraction of this time. I shop
for Christmas caps, trees and stars although I am not a Christian,” Bhanu Priya Panda, a shopper at Pantaloon, said.
Not far from the glamour of malls, another section of businessmen whose tills are ringing are sellers of decorative items near churches. Diana Francis sits in the middle of a wide variety of decorative items including stars, Santa dolls, and fancy church bells, at her stall in Janpath.
“There is growing demand for decorative items this year. We have items that range in prices from `20 to `8,000. Even non-Christians are also showing interest in buying such materials,” Diana said.
And for those not satisfied with shopping, churches had more to offer. The church at Satya Nagar organised a musical evening open for all. Meera John, who had come to the church for the musical event, said: “The occasion was unique because we felt close to the lord and think He listens to us directly.”
Jina Jose, another visitor, while echoing Meera also spoke of the special way she planned to celebrate Christmas this year. “I along with twelve of my friends have started this ‘celebration’ from the first of this month. Each of us randomly chose a name from among us and are praying secretly for the person’s well-being. We keep praying for this person and will reveal their name on Christmas day and present them with gifts. We feel this way, our bond will grow stronger in the years to come,” she said.