KLANG, Oct 18 — The attire of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears to be the top fashion choice among children for this year’s Deepavali which will be celebrated on Wednesday.
Sri Kumaran’s Silk Store managing director N. Mohan said the ‘Modi’ attire, which comes with a jacket, kurta and tight pajamas, was a big hit among Deepavali shoppers in Klang’s ‘Little India’ enclave.
“Dressing like Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become a trend this Deepavali season. Modi has set a new trend in dressing and many children consider it a traditional and dignified attire,” he told Bernama.
He said many parents were also encouraging their children to go for the ‘Modi’ attire and photographing children dressed up in that way was becoming a trend at his outlet.
Mohan, who has been in the textile business for 23 years, said the Modi dress, which is sold for children aged between one and 10, comes in various colours, including blue, green and mustard.
“The jacket worn by Modi is very much similar to the one worn by the first Indian prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and this adds more ‘dignity’ to the suit,” he said.
Deepavali Carnivals affecting businesses
Meanwhile, N.P. Raman, chairman of the Entrepreneurs Association of Little India, Klang, said two major Deepavali carnivals this year, at Bukit Jalil and the open car park of the Shah Alam stadium, had to a certain extent affected the brisk business enjoyed by traders in Klang’s Little India in this festive season.
Raman, who is managing director of Thangaram Jewellers at Jalan Tengku Kelana, said the shopping hotspot for many people residing in the Klang Valley was dull this year due to the two carnivals and also the rainy spells.
“But I still hope that many last-minute shoppers will come to Little India looking for discounted offers for clothes, shoes, accessories and cookies over the weekend,” he said.
A check by Bernama showed that many traders from India were selling clothes and merchandise at the Deepavali carnival at the Shah Alam stadium at lower prices compared to the textile shops in Little India.
Maheswary Ramasamy, secretary of the Malaysian Indian Textile and General Stores Association (Mita), urged the Klang Municipal Council to upgrade the basic amenities in Little India, including providing ample parking space for the convenience of shoppers.
— BERNAMA
