As mercury plunges across valley sale of Kangris, woolen clothing picking up

The sales of kangris and woolen clothes have picked up in Valley as Kashmir is witnessing intense cold these days.
On Sunday, the November 27th, for the whole day people were seen purchasing warm clothing and kangris in the markets to fight the cold spell continuing in the Valley from the past few weeks.
A customer Hilal from Pampore said, “I prefer to buy warm clothes at Sunday market Srinagar. In the past, every month I shop here.”
“But, due to the prevailing condition in the valley, I came here after four months,” he said while carrying kangris and woolen clothes in hands.
Suhail Ahmad, who sells sweaters outside Press Enclave, was happy with the day. “People are shopping and purchasing more warm clothes. I sold woolen sweaters in huge number,” he said.
Kangri makers on Sunday were also seen selling Kangris in and around Srinagar city.
Most of Kangri makers who come from other districts prefer to sell the kangris in Srinagar as they say market is good in the city.
“We bring the kangris from the villages and then sell these in Srinagar markets. As the temperature is already down people are purchasing the kangris in huge numbers,” said Manzoor Ahmad Malik of Harwan Srinagar.
Malik has been selling kangris at Polo View in Srinagar from the past 28 years.
“I sold a large number of kangris from the early morning. It is the only sources of income for me. Thanks to Almighty Allah, I am managing domestic expenses on it,” he told Kashmir Post on Sunday.
“We suffered a lot in the unrest but, the relaxation in the shutdown is the welcome step by the Hurriyat leaders. From the past over three and a half months I did not earn a penny as I was at home,” Malik said.
Like Manzoor, the kangris are the only source of income for many families in south Kashmir districts.
Most of the families are making kangris as well as sell these in market later.
“I am happy, I sold around 250 kangris throughout the day,” said Bilal Ahmad, another kangri seller.
He had come all the way from Chari Shareef area of Budgam early in the morning to earn bread and butter for his family.
“I sold different types of kangris like Pakherpore Kangris, Kulgam Kangri, Charari Kangri (Kangris made in Pakherpora, Kulgam and Chari Shareef),” he said.