Dimapur Night Bazaar: a promising start

Dimapur’s main shopping centre from the Holy Cross-Plaza-Dhobinalla traffic tri-junction to Deluxe Point was totally jam-packed with several thousand (conservative estimates at around fifty thousand)people from all walks of life, on the last night of the Night Bazaar Thursday, savouring delicious items at various food courts or buying gift items at stalls.
The Night Bazaar from December 16 -19 was a non-government venture jointly organised by the district administration and NGOs and SHGs and the first ever in the heart of the city to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Nagaland statehood. Even before the Night Bazaar began at 6 p.m., roads in Dimapur were clogged with several hundred vehicles. Parking spots at Holy Cross and MSRTC were already full.
The entire venue was jam-packed with a mass of humanity and walking was like taking a step a minute.
For all the negative image that Dimapur City was given, it was a refreshing experience to sense the carnival-like atmosphere. Everyone- families, friends, groups and individuals- from all walks of life seemed to feel like they were in a different place.
While hundreds thronged the food courts, there were those who did brisk shopping.At the middle of the entire stretch, hundreds of youth swayed to the rock and pop songs by some bands at the junction to Christian Higher Secondary School.
Every food item prepared, despite their simplicity, tasted superb. Anyway, anything tasted good when everyone was enjoying the fun and gaiety.
On offer were various food items to cater to the tastes such as Naga dishes of sticky rice and pork, local meat chutney with puris, the local rice beer, momo, chow, puri with local meat curry, Indian dishes etc. There were beverages, hot tea or coffee with snacks, imported goods, accessories stalls etc.
The carnival-like atmosphere was totally peaceful and without any incident, which was again the best that happened. The event provided young entrepreneurs with an opportunity to earn by setting up various stalls and proving that Dimapur is the city of private entrepreneurs in Nagaland.
One shop owner told this Reporter, that such events should be organised frequently considering the fact that it provides an opportunity for people to get together and to enjoy the time with their families and friends.
He also felt it was an eye opener to everyone that Dimapur should be the ‘City of Festivals’ if the enterprising citizens got together to bring about a transformation.