Fascination with shopping malls
By Rama Gaind
Residents in New Delhi, the capital of India, have a fascination for shopping malls.
With a population of almost 14 million, this is one city that is not only buzzing with life and vigour, but it is also a city of opportunities. The property business is booming and newly-constructed world-class accommodation is available in satellite townships.
Delhiites have a natural passion for shopping. There are shopping malls, shopping complexes and markets in almost all areas of Delhi and the region. While complexes in Noida, Gurgaon and Faridabad – both for shopping and entertainment – have to be seen to be believed for modern conveniences, there are numerous multiplexes that will meet your every need.
Shopping malls dot the capital’s landscape. They have given a new dimension to the whole idea of shopping in and around Delhi. These one-stop malls are the window to the latest trends in fashion, food and other retail spheres.
CTC Mall in central Delhi is one example of an enjoyable shopping experience. Spread over three levels, you will be bemused for choice from heavily embellished saris, salwar kameez, lehengas and sherwanis best suited for bridal wear to ready-to-wear fashion tops, shawls, jewellery and other accessories for both men and women.
There are supermarkets and central stores to purchase grocery and home utility items. Food Bazaar is one such supermarket. Fresh dairy products can be purchased from the state-owned Mother Dairy. It has outlets in all residential areas. Imported furniture showrooms are abundant in south Delhi near the historic Qutab Minar. Other showrooms can be found in Noida, near Connaught Place in Panchkuian Road and in west Delhi at Kirti Nagar.
Home linen and furnishings can be bought from shopping malls or home furnishing retail outlets. Curtains can be bought as fabric or readymade. Brand-name clothes are as popular as sarees and salwaar kameez. While western outfits are commonplace, well-known labels are freely available, along with fabrics and readymade garments. Most of the stores have tailors and drapers so made-to-measure clothes can be whipped up in next to no time.
Markets are in abundance: there’s Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi, South Extension I and II, Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, Kamla and Khan Markets. Many have a preference for clothes at Janpath and Sarojini Nagar markets. Visiting emporiums for that extra special gift from various parts of India is also an enlightening experience.
Whether you indulge in impulsive buying, go on a fanatical shopping spree or are just a passive participant – just content with window shopping – the experience will be an exhilarating, though exhaustive, one!
