[Points: Where and when the fair was held—arrangements kinds of articles brought for sale-crowd—amusements—sanitary arrangements—conclusion.]
A fair is held every year in our village from the last day of the Bengali year and continues for a week. Though rather small in comparison with many other fairs in the country, it is a big affair in our parts of the district. Streams of people not only from our own village but also from villages all around throng to it for their requirements.
Last year I went to the fair with some of my friends. It was about 4 in the afternoon. The whole place was full of joy and busy activities. The entire area was divided into different parts by straight roads lined with shops on either side. Shops dealing in the same kinds of goods were located in the same area so that the buyers might know where to go for their requirements. Most of the shops were temporary huts. Some had only a covering overhead to keep out the sun.
Almost all the shops were crowded. People went about from shop to shop to buy at the cheapest price; many were out merely on sight-seeing and enjoying fun. Children were specially crowding round toy-shops. Dolls and toy balloons seemed to be the craze among them. The stalls for tea and cold drink and sweets also were having brisk sales. The shops that dealt in groceries, cutlery, utensils, etc. were patronised by elderly people only.
The amusement section was behind the front line on one side. When we went there we saw a merry-go-round going round and round with a full load of laughing children. At another place magic lanterns were showing the simple villagers pictures of some of the noted places and sights of India. There were seesaw, rope dancing and other forms of amusement too.
We were glad to note the sanitary arrangements in the place. The roads were swept clean every morning, the privies and urinals were regularly cleared and spread with bleaching powder, and good drinking water was obtained from tubewells nearby. Every article of food was kept in a glass case. So the sweets and other foods were free from dust and flies.
When evening fell, we left for our homes in a happy frame of mind.
