Sarojini goes online

The old favourite shopping haunt of many, Sarojini market, is moving online. Now, one can order the clothes and accessories available in the market at a click. But many who love frequenting the market say the whole shopping experience of Sarojini would be quite incomplete without its accompanying hustle-bustle, wide array of snacks, the exercise of bargaining and the joy of bagging a good deal.

So will the virtual presence have much of an impact on the physical market? Actresses who have loved shopping here feel there is a quintessential appeal to Sarojini trips that would be missing in its online version, so the market is sure to continue thriving. But they acknowledge that the online platform is the way forward.

Actress Tannishtha Chatterjee remembers the time when she used to frequent this market, “Once we did a play with a German director and he had a cast from all around the world. I took them to Sarojini and they went crazy. They used to call it the ‘20-rupees-market’. One could buy the most amazing things there for 100 to 400 rupees. Such beautiful clothes are very expensive abroad and they couldn’t believe the rates here.”

Recalling her college days, she adds, “Sarojini market used to be our second hang-out place. We used to hunt for unique and amazing things. Now we are headed towards a virtual world but I enjoy seeing things before I buy them. I don’t live in Delhi anymore but I still visit places like Dilli Haat, Surajkund Mela and Sarojini market. One can buy beautiful handicrafts there. Such handicrafts when sold online, harm the artisans. The middlemen benefit, but the artisans never benefit from it. I don’t trust all these indirect ways of commerce. I am also a person who tries things out before buying them, I want to know how the outfit or the shoe feels. These are also points of human contact. The virtual world is trapping us. From a joint family we moved towards a nuclear family and now we are mere individuals. If now we have everything online, this beautiful human interaction will be lost.”

Actress Pia Bajpai is not too happy with the move, “Sarojini market is going online and most people are going to be very happy. People who don’t have time to go to the market often or live in different cities will love this. I have been to Sarojini Nagar many times and whenever I go to Delhi, I make it a point to go there at least once. Sarojini market is vibrant and full of life. There are two pakoda-wallahs who serve special chilli pakoras and these are so yummy. I go to Sarojini Nagar because of them.”

She admits it might be considered a bit old-school in present times, but “I love to actually go to markets and shop, especially to look at things in person, try out outfits, bargain at times and at the end of it all, maybe not buy anything. An online portal cannot compete with the real market. There is a pleasure in roaming around in a real market, and watch other people shop, observe them and stumble across small cute things. How will one experience all that online? I will always go to the market and shop.”

Actress Shama Sikender agrees, “I am a shopper who likes to go to the market and see the products. I don’t like online shopping personally but I see it becoming a trend now. I guess it saves time for some. But people like me will be missing the feel of the market when they shop online. Eventually in future, everything will be online. It is just another step in that direction.”

But actress Luveina Lodh, who is a Delhi girl, finds this a welcome move. She says, “I think it is a great idea to be take Sarojini market online because it will be easier for working women who do not have time to shop. They can easily buy things online. It is a delight for people who do not live in Delhi. They can easily shop from this famous market now, without visiting Delhi.”

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TV actress Neha Saxena has fond memories of shopping in Sarojini market. She says, “I have been to Delhi quite a few times, but it isn’t possible to visit the market every time. So it is convenient for me to shop online. Also I don’t go to Delhi so often now and online portal is definitely a better option,” adding,

“I grew up in Agra and used to visit Delhi but I understand why someone who grew up in the city would have many sentiments attached to it.”

But actress Luveina Lodh, who also hails from Delhi sees this as a welcome move. She says, "I think it is a great idea if they are taking Sarojani market online because it will be easier for working women who do not have time to shop. They can easily buy things online. It is a delight for people who do not live in Delhi. They can easily shop from this famous market now, without visiting Delhi."

TV actress, Neha Saxena, who also loves to shop in Sarojani market thinks it is a matter of what memories you have of the market. She opines, "I have been to Delhi quiet a few times, but it isn't possible to go to the market every time. So it is convenient for me to shop online. Also I don't go to Delhi so often now and online portal is definitely a better option," adding, "I grew up in Agra and used to visit Delhi but I understand if someone actually grew up in the city, they would have many sentiments attached to it."

Indian fan Sudhir Chaudhary in Dhaka. While the team would be eager to avenge their one-run loss in 2016 T20 World Cup against India, Bangladesh fans have always given Indians fans stiff competition on the social media ground. Comedian Sorabh Pant says that he is a big fan of the underdogs and adds, “My favourite part of cricket is to heckle each other. Bangladesh is not a minnow today and their cockiness tends to work on Indian minds. If I were a Bangladeshi fan, I would totally go after the Indian fans. It’s damn good fun and I am absolutely for it till it doesn’t get racist.”