Malls and super markets are comparatively a new phenomenon to the third world. Super markets, malls & big bazaars are coming up in the large number in the growing cities of the country.
Yet there is another world, in the third world itself! Out of the boundaries of our cities, the villagers and tribal people have created that world. Their needs are md their small bazaars and weekly markets, called as haat. They find here the food grains, vegetables, cosmetics, snacks, biscuits etc.
Here there are no glazed floors; no beautiful sales girls, no smart counter clerks, yet the weekly markets have great social significance. Every haat connects the people of a cluster of villages. Villagers and tribal meet each-other here while doing their shopping.
Recently, I mingled in the crowd of such a weekly haat in a small village, named Binjali, about 15 KMs away from Narayanpur in the tribal are of Bastar (India). I found an opportunity to see an aspect of the life of those people who are leading very simple life; away from the shine of materialistic development. Fulfillment of their small needs bring happiness to them; and the joy they derive from such hats and markets!
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