LITTLE INDIA BRICKFIELDS - POPULAR SPOT FOR DEEPAVALI SHOPPING

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Little India, in Brickfields here, remains a popular spot for people to purchase fresh items and festive supplies at discount prices of up to 50 per cent in preparation for the Deepavali celebration tomorrow.

A survey by Bernama found that shoppers began arriving as early as 8 am, despite businesses opening only at 10 am.

Pavitthra Kandiah, 35, said it is normal for her to do last-minute shopping, especially for flowers and fruits, to ensure they are fresh on the day of the celebration.

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"Every year I will come here to shop as the final preparation, like flowers,  for us to use for the prayer ceremony tonight and tomorrow morning.

“The flowers will wither if we get them early. Even, when everything has been bought, we still go out for the last-minute shopping because there will be many goods sold at discounted prices, some up to 50 per cent,” she said.

For Rupiha Ragoowathy, 31, the excitement of preparing for Deepavali at Little India in Brickfields was worth the trip from Klang.

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“We arrived here (Little India) at 8.30 am. The shops had not even opened yet, but there were already many people, and we came early to avoid the large crowd, as shopping would be easier, and also for parking, which will be easier to get,” she said.

Meanwhile, Kumar, 37, said he came to shop for Deepavali clothing, home decorations and fireworks.

“We love to do last-minute shopping here because there will be more choices as traders will bring out all their stock and sell them at lower prices to clear them.

“Besides, I also want to get into the Deepavali mood,” said Kumar, who plans to return to his hometown in Johor tonight.

Raj Kumar, 40, said he had to take some time off from work to get fresh stuff for tomorrow’s celebration.

 "I went to the office and started work a little early today to make sure I could come here to do my Deepavali shopping for some house decorations, fresh food, fruits and vegetables,” he said.

Meanwhile, a clothing store trader who only wants to be known as Kimed, 24, said he is offering discounts of up to 50 per cent on various items, including women's and men's clothing such as Lehenga and Punjabi suits, as well as prayer paraphernalia and home decorations ornaments.

"We do have regular customers who come to shop at the last minute for the discounts. We also offer discounts on LED decorative lights up to 50 per cent, and a discount of between 20 per cent and 30 per cent on festive clothing and flowers," he said.

-- BERNAMA