(Left) Shelf packed with variety of beautiful artificial flowers. (Right) A section of Christmas decors stacked up in a corner. (Morung Photos)
A Christmas tale of the retail man
Dimapur | December 18: Come winter season in Nagaland, people from every nook and corner rush to Dimapur to get hold of the best artificial flowers and Christmas decorations since it is a time for numerous weddings and Christmas related events. The usual sight observed in the narrow lane of Hazi Park Dimapur is customers crowded in the shops and bargaining for the best price.
With rise in demand, a proprietor in Hazi Park, one Talukdar had to open his shop without dedicating. He said he has many customers, which left him with no choice but to open the shop for them. He said that one of the days after the Christmas he would call one of the Muslim clerics (Mullah) to dedicate the shop.
He said that with the increase of customers he was compelled to open the new shop since the old one is small and crammed. The new shop is approximately 2000 sq/ft and has three spacious rooms that anyone could get carried away after seeing the variety of merchandise. The price range starts from as low as Rs 10 to Rs 7000.
Enquiring of his, successful business venture in Nagaland, Talukdar revealed that he is from Silchar and has been living in Nagaland since 1983 and his first shop is 10-years-old. He said that he and his family have no plans to go back to Silchar. He said that the sale of artificial flowers and other decors increases from November every year.
Thanks to our hardworking creative neighbour China since all the beautiful decors and flowers are, Chinese made. Talukdar said that he brings the cargo from Delhi and distributes the consignment to other states too – Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Assam. Moreover, for Nagaland he distributes to almost all the districts. Moreover, he has just three helpers who organizes and attains to the customers. His customers mainly, he says are from Churches and wedding planners.
On charity to the ‘national workers’
Talukdar humbly said that it is not a big problem to give tax to various factions but it becomes a problem when some people pretending to be ‘national workers’ come and demand time to time. He said out of fear most of the time businesspersons like him avoid filing FIR or informing the leaders of the certain group. However, he said even though problems like this arise frequently, he still likes and loves Nagaland.
Christmas to me is…
Talukdar said though he is a Muslim by religion he celebrates Christmas with the Christians, as he believes in friendship, love and sharing. He hopes that the good relationship between the Muslims and Christians in Nagaland will continue unlike other places in the world where hatred has taken over. “I pray to ‘Allah’ for better relationship between the Nagas and Muslims”.
