If your foreign vacations leave little time for shopping, don't let it worry you. 'Arihant Plaza', situated on Kamaraj Road, has all the things that you yearned to buy from Singapore, London, Hong Kong, or Dubai. The shopping centre is in the basement and it displays a vast array of clothing, accessories, hosiery, and electronic goods. The shops are conveniently located, making it easy for shoppers to saunter around and choose at leisure.

There are two rows of more than twenty shops facing each other. Walking down the stairs, my eye caught the first shop on the right called 'Private Selection' with a well-lit showcase. There is a wide collection of Swarovski, Okley sunglasses, Christian Dior cosmetics, Mont Blanc and Cartier pens. "I have been here from the past six years, and have good stuff. I go personally to buy goods for the shop", says Mr. Hamir Ashar. The shop's name is reflective of the items on display, which cater to individual tastes.

Right opposite this store is the complete baby shop. This shop 'Garb' has a variety of baby clothes, toiletries, bed-time and feeding accessories, toys, prams, carry cots and car seats. Further down is another shop that grabs the connoisseur's attention, 'Padmavathi collections', exclusive for crystals. There is a range of exquisite crystal items, from tablespoons to a beautiful, huge crystal elephant. "We sell only crystals, we have showpieces, cutlery and crockery", says Mr.Vikram, the owner.

Forever, Shani Novelties and Millions are shops which stock gift items, shampoos, soaps, face masks, scrubs, conditioners etc. Ajuba is another store which sells clothes, Zippos and Perfumes.

Manmohi Collections, a complete shop for electronic goods is a male's domain. "Our shop is 3 years old. We deal mainly with electronic items like hair dryers, Victorinox, Cellular phones and more", says the proprietor, Mr. Rajesh Chugh. My eyes caught sight of a tiny chrome watch that fits like a finger ring, an exclusive piece to own!

The end of a long walk and eager perusal of Arihant Plaza brought me to the last shop newly opened. Owned and run by Mr Rakesh, its speciality is diet and canned fruit juices, chocolates, chewing gums, macaroni and pastas. Imported toothbrushes, refreshingly different, are displayed conspicuously.

I could have spent the entire day just window shopping here. It seems like a platform for the latest and trendiest stuff. This, of course, is an ideal place to shop for gifts for family and friends.

Kamini M V

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