New Year's Eve: When every street was shoppers’ stop

If the world does come to an end in 2012, Bangloreans can boast that they shopped till they dropped on the last day of 2011.

The mecca of Bangalore shoppers, Brigade Road and Commercial Street, saw thousands flock to the streets to complete their last-minute shopping. The vendors could not have been happier.

“It’s a special day for all of us and hence, we have slashed the prices of some of our fruits,” said Asha, a fruit vendor on Brigade Road.  “Usually, we sell a pack of strawberries for Rs60 but today it’s only Rs50,” she said.

Another vendor, Jamshee, said he was looking forward to business on the New Year Day even as he did good business on the last day of 2011

“I will keep my shop open till the police shut it down,” he said. And which item was sold the most on New Year’s Eve? “Is that even a question? It’s cigarettes,” he said, matter-of-factly, and laughed.

Shops selling accessories and junk jewellery were a big hit everywhere on Saturday, with people pushing each other out of the way, especially at Commercial Street.