The last of the melas of the season, Howrah Utsav, has arrived in town. From February 6 to March 8, Dumurjala Stadium grounds will be illuminated with neons, halogens and strobe lights as Howrah residents enjoy the last round of jalebis, gur kathi, chini kathi, candy floss, popcorn, phuchka and other fast food at a fair in the neighbourhood. Kids, too, are having their last joyrides on the toy trains, merry-go-rounds, bumping cars and jumping castles. 

Howrah Utsav, quite like a local shopping festival, has come with its array of items, stalls dedicated to almost everything that a person would want for his or her home. Glass crockeries to steel utensils, furniture and linen, clothes and cushions and rugs are all up for sale. Although the items are quite the same as every year, visitors at the fair would still like to stop by the stalls to see the latest design or colour combination in stock. 
After a round of the large fair ground with some 140 stalls, everyone likes to take a break with the regular mela food. A special attraction at the fair this year is the 5D show, called the Adventure Globe for adventurous visitors of all age groups.

Faran Footwear from Kidderpore has some fashionable shoes in store. Wedge heels, stilettos, flat slippers and rubber floaters are available at this small footwear stall selling everything between Rs 100 to 300. A girl was bargaining for a pair of white wedge heel peep toes, hoping to get it for Rs 100 less that the quoted price. Jaipur Glass House is one of the glassware stalls selling cups, plates and other crockery items. Decorative brass items are available at a big stall near the entrance to the fair. Maa Basanti Thermoplus had a crowd hanging around its stall.

Large Radha Krishna figures seated on swings, in ceramic, were placed just outside the stall and interested buyers were making enquiries about them. The large one was for Rs 30,000 while the smaller one was for Rs 12,000. Inside the stall was a huge mountain made from jute fibre. The decorative item covered in a glass case was priced at Rs 35,000. Three wooden rhinocerous caught the attention of many. The largest one was priced at Rs 15,000 and the smallest Rs 5,000. “People are attracted by the items, but only the smaller items like Ganesh and other decorative folk dolls are selling,” said the salesperson at the counter. 

At another stall, a vendor is selling Kashmiri wooden handicraft like trays, jewellery boxes, spoons and other things. Rugs, cushion covers and other linen are available at Calcutta Embroidery Centre. Women can pick up some costume jewellery from the mela as well. A number of stalls are selling attractive designs. Zevar’s stall is an attraction for many as it stocks gold-plated jewellery, copied from latest designs of gold jewellery of leading brands. “Many ladies have come enquiring for juin phooler mala and I have sold out the last piece that I had. Its in demand now,” said Anima Khan, sitting at the stall. 

Tant saris from Fulia as well as boutiques are also at the fair. Jute bags ranging from Rs 150 onwards are available in colourful designs and different sizes. The stall of wooden handicraft and furniture from Saharanpur is at one end of the fair. An attractive wooden chest comes for Rs 4,200. Wooden stools, partitions and even clocks are being sold from this stall. Fancy crystal and bead jewellery sparkled from the glass-laden tables of the small vendors. Toys and stationery items are on display at other similar stalls.   

The organisers of Howrah Utsav, however, feel that the fair has come too late. “We generally organise the fair earlier, but this year, we were not sure whether we would get the ground in time. We had to organise this fair in less than 20 days. Although the fair is officially one month long, we will extend the time, depending on the demand,” said Sanjiv Sarkar, the organiser. Cultural programmes and other activities will also be held through the mela days. A handi bhanga (pot-breaking) game for women will be held on March 1 and a dog show on March 2. A recitation competition will be held on March 7.