A Mall in the Capitol

Chhattisgarhis were taken aback upon hearing the opening of a descent life size mall in their premises. Needless to say the locale was Raipur and it came with a BIG BANG; INOX + Big Bazaar under one roof. The not so populated Mahasamund road was suddenly flocked by one and all. So much so that Muncipality had to place a car & bike lifting crane permanently. Typically as Raipurites would know the road was used by bachelors and family at times only for visiting the famous lineage of dhabas. However come this mall, we had every body vying for stepping into the largest market complex of the state (as of now: who knows the future; we hear somebringing something bigger than the same). I have frequented the mall countless number of times, shelled out few thousands on movies, dresses, pens, banana shakes, ice-creams, toys already. However I go there for my penchant for observing people. You have distinctive notobles which glare you the moment you enter there which was not there earlier. Raipur was the typically trading city with no outing or night life. Typical observations

a) There is a breed of people whom you never saw amidst the public in Raipur; gorgeous damsels (should I use babes) with a tinge of metro-conciousness, the IAS breed and some elite personalities of the city (read class business men who use palmtops and drive the latest models of Honda & Ford only)

b) The mall owners have to be complimented for using elevators (the only on in the state as of now). Every visit allows me to view atleast a hunderd new people trying it for the first time. Infact they are also not to be blamed for their knaveness; this was a capital with no touch of modernity in terms of facilities of the metros and other A class cities

c) Thankfully seeing the shift in crowds, the existing cinema halls of the town wuold think of improving their quality of offering and services. I had few harrowing experience in some theatres once saving my hand (narrowly I must say) from the wrath of a policeman and few times some parts of movies as a deaf (sound systems conking off for hours in halls, eh ever heard such a thing at other places? I seriously doubt!)

d) Atleast you have some space in the city which is neat and clean (even though it is just few lac sq. ft.). It has brought in a sense of civic-ness amidst the populace. I hope it stays; no seriously as I am well versed with the pathetic civic sense of the public of Raipur

e) Mind you the concept of mall is not new to India but the case of Raipur is different. Malls at Pune are flocked by Puneites, Kolkata by Kolkatans but Raipur's mall is flocked by people dran from all other important towns of the state

f) We being with private sector organisations, thought that the exorbiant prices of designer dresses, costly filmi tickets, no free parking would detest many (the city being driven by Marwaris and SIndhis who wish to have everything free). But no! Brands are flocking in day-in and out and the crowd is burguening with each passing day.

Signing off with the hope that another mall soon blesses this suddenly affluent city of Raipur.