Use of decorative lights continues despite government ban

Although the government has ordered all stores and shopping malls to turn off external decorative lighting amid fuel supply crisis with the war expanding in the Middle East, shops in Rajshahi, Sylhet and Chattogram have turned a deaf ear.

Our correspondent from Rajshahi writes, extensive use of electricity has sparked concerns over potential power wastage and increased strain on the grid as shopping malls across Rajshahi have been illuminated with vibrant decorative lighting.

On Wednesday evening, areas including Theme Omar Plaza, RDA Market, New Market, and Silk Patti were seen glowing with colorful lights and elaborate decorations, creating a festive atmosphere for shoppers.

Traders say these arrangements are crucial during the Eid season to attract customers and boost sales, which helps to revitalise the local market.

Shoppers expressed mixed reactions. Shamim Ahmed, a customer at RDA Market, said, "The lighting adds to the festive mood, but in many cases, it seems excessive and wasteful." Homemaker Sharmin Akter added, "The malls look beautiful at night, but keeping the lights on during the day is unnecessary."

Business owners argue that competitive pressures make such displays necessary. Rafiqul Islam, a trader at Theme Omar Plaza, said, "Decorative lighting plays a key role in attracting customers during Eid. Without it, customer interest could decline." A Silk Patti trader, requesting anonymity, added that Eid remains the peak sales period of the year, making extra arrangements unavoidable.

MD. Ilias Hossain, an economics professor at the University of Rajshahi, said that keeping markets and malls open during Eid is economically beneficial as it stimulates production and trade. "However, unnecessary decorative lighting must be controlled. Business activities should continue, but power wastage is not acceptable.

He also emphasised that excessive lighting at social events such as weddings should be minimised, noting that energy conservation is a matter of national importance. Authorities are urged to take effective measures to regulate unnecessary electricity use.

Our correspondent from Sylhet reports, the use of decorative lights have continued in Sylhet's shopping malls.

Liton Mia, a shopkeeper at the Sylhet city's Shukria market, does not have knowledge about the govt restriction issued four days ago.

He said, "There is no bar in decorating the shops during Eid time to attract customers. We do it every year. You can find the same in almost all the markets."

Ataur Rahman of a fashion shop at the city's Nayasarak area said on Wednesday that they don't generally use extra lighting. But during Eid time the market authorities arrange decorative lighting to attract the customers. "It's done every year."

Abdur Rahman Ripon, general secretary of Bangladesh Dokan Malik Samity's Sylhet district unit, said, "We heard the news of restrictions on lighting, but we are yet to get any official order or letter from the authority. This is why most of the market or shop owners have continued lighting the shops or markets in the city areas. But we appreciate the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's venture in controlling power use," he added. 

"The moment we get any order, we will surely obey that for greater interest," he also said.

Abdur rahman further stated that the Eid market has been partially affected by the situation in the Middle East. "Otherwise, the market trend has yet been good enough. The traders are happy with the good turnout of buyers of various ages and the law and order situation.

Our correspondent from Chattogram notes, almost all shopping malls of the port city have been using decorative lights to attract shoppers even after the government order to turn off external decorative lights.

However, the city dwellers have expressed their happiness over the night scene offered through the illuminated malls.

Before the govt. directive against the use of decorative lighting, Abdul Malek, owner of Brisben at Afmi Plaza in Chattogram, said lighting in the market is making sales festive ahead of Eid. As there is no crisis of power now, we are illuminating the shops and establishments to attract the Eid shoppers."

Jamal Uddin, a shopper at the city's Biponi Bitan, said the shop owners illuminate the shops with "spotlights" during the Eid festival with a view to attract the customers. "The customers are also satisfied with the continuous supply of power in the markets."

Major shops in the port city which have been using decorative lights to their advantage include: New Market (Biponi Bitan), Afmi Plaza, Mimi Super Market, Reajuddin

Bazar, Teri Bazar, Finlay Centre, Sanmar Ocean City Market, VIP Tower Shopping Centre, Ameen Centre, Chittagong Shopping Complex, Finlay Shopping Complex, Akhtaruzzaman Centre, Singapore-Bangkok market, Kohinoor City at Dampara, Lucky Plaza, Concord Moin Mall, and Yunusco City Centre.

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