A Village Market
(Introduction, Site and occasion, Gathering
of villagers, Description, Special attractions, Disadvantages, Advantages,
Conclusion.)
A village market is nothing but a shopping centre for the villagers. The villagers assemble to buy and sell things of their daily necessaries of life. So to speak, it is a great noisy place. Indeed, a village market is the heart for the villagers.
A village market is generally situated by
the side of a river or a canal or a big road.
There are two kinds of village markets. One
is daily market which is held in the forenoon and the other is periodic market
which is held once or twice a week in the afternoon.
A village market is divided into three
sections-open space, temporary sheds and permanent sheds. In the open space vegetables,
rice, fish, milk, fruits, betel-nuts and other perishable goods are sold. In
the temporary sheds the grocers sit to sell various kinds of things such as
oil, salt, pepper, cloves, spices and other stationery goods. In the permanent
sheds cloths, wheat, pulse, flour, sugar, fried rice, gur, ghee, stationery
commodities, medicine etc. are kept ready for sale. Of all the sheds, the fish shed
remains over crowded. It is noisy. Goats and Cattle are also sold in the
village market.
The villagers wait for the market day
eagerly. Many visit a village market just for social contact. Postmen,
match-makers, businessmen etc. use a village market as their rendezvous.
A village market is an important place for
the villagers. People from far and near come to the village market to sell and
buy things. It serves as a meeting place for the villagers and they also get
news and views from here.
There is no fixed price of articles here.
There is much bargaining over prices of merchandise. There is a hue and cry in
the market. Sometimes, villagers quarrel over trifling matter.
A village market is the main centre of
economic activity of the villagers. Thus it bears a vital importance in the
life of the villagers Moreover, the Government and the local authorities should
try to improve it.