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Musharraf's visit to Old Delhi
has businessmen worried

While the media is going gaga over the visit of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, not everyone else is pleased with the prospect.

Especially, the small-time shopkeepers of Pratap Street outside Naharwali Haveli (literally, the house on the canal), where the General was born and lived in pre-Partition India.

They complain that their business has suffered ever since it became known that Musharraf might visit the area, thanks to the hectic work in progress to give the haveli a facelift.

"Poor people like us are suffering due to this hype and preparations for Musharraf's visit. We work from dawn to dusk to take care of our families. But after the renovation work on the haveli began, our sales dropped drastically. How can you attract customers when things are being dismantled and the area dug up all around?" asks Jagdish Kumar, a beverages seller in his late fifties.

"The only people to benefit are politicians and government officials. They are making money on the construction and decoration work," he added.

For reasons of security, shopkeepers in the haveli's vicinity have been told to shut shop 24 hours before Musharraf comes to visit his ancestral home, which only means more loss of business.

A few steps ahead of Kumar's shop is a restaurant, owned by Shiv Makkar.

"We have been hearing different things about the closure of shops," he said. "Somebody says the whole area will be shut down three days before Musharraf's visit. Others say it will be done just 24 hours before that. Whatever the police say, we will have to do. If we don't heed their appeal, we will have trouble."

The sudden focus on the area, its beautification and renovation by government agencies has not impressed anybody.

"It is going to make no difference to us. Musharraf will get to see his birthplace while we will have to bear all the trouble," Makkar retorted.

The management of the Golcha cinema, which overlooks the haveli, expects to be ordered to close down for a day or two.

Incidentally, it is screening Gadar - Ek Prem Katha, the period drama, which is in the midst of a controversy due to certain dialogues.

As the movie is running to packed houses, the management is miffed by the thought of having to shut shop for a day, or two.

"Even on 15th August, we have to close down the theatre a day before and till the conclusion of the celebrations at the nearby Red Fort," says Deputy General Manager N R Saini.

But those living in the haveli are pleased with Musharraf's proposed visit although they are not certain whether they would be allowed to meet him.

However, Shoaib Iqbal, the local legislator told rediff.com, "It has been decided to allow the residents to meet Musharraf."

The security arrangements are expected to be unprecedented.

"Apart from the Delhi police, 16 battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and commandos from the elite Special Protection Group (SPG) would be in attendance," sources said.

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