COLD WAVE PAYS: Tibetan refugees selling sweaters in Guntur following early onset of winter.

GUNTUR: Sudden drop in temperatures during the last two weeks have jacked up the sale of woollen clothes in Guntur. And the city residents know where to head to buy the clothes -- the makeshift shops set up by Tibetan refugees.

There are about 20 families, which have been doing this business for the last 30 years. They have set up their shops opposite Andhra Christian College in Guntur. "This year, the early setting in of winter has resulted in people flocking to the shops from October," said Pema Thodan, a shopkeeper.

The choice offered at the shops is wide. There are clothes in different colours, sizes and designs. Apart from that, other items like scarf, muffler, monkey-cap and shawls are the other hot sellers. Young Tsering Chonzom, who finished her Intermediate course in India, recollects that during every winter, Guntur had been her home since childhood.

"We have been refugees since childhood selling winter clothing during the season. After winter, we go to Berhampur in Orissa and work as agriculture labourers in nearby villages," adds Tenzin Dolma, friend of Tsering. They have been doing their businesses in different places, without affecting the business of Tibetans in other cities.

Enterprising

A few of the lucky customers who do not mind shelling a few extra rupees can buy the clothing from the land of Sherpas and Yetis. "However, most of the clothing we sell is brought from Punjab," says Pema Pelmu, another shopkeeper.

Long association with the place has also made them learn a bit of Telugu language. Basic conversation words like what the customer wants, price, etc. are spoken by most of the shopkeepers.

Their enterprising qualities are displayed as women look after the sales in Guntur while their men do business in other places of the district. Tenzin says that they were lucky to be here in the season when Kalachakra ceremony will be conducted by their spiritual head Dalai Lama.

Living in cheap lodges and other places during the season, they look forward with optimism for the new season in their lives — when they have a country of their own, where their freedom and independence is guaranteed, all the refugees are welcomed and given their due place, they point out.

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