Surat's realty sector takes a break as labourers head home

SURAT: Tens of thousands of Dawoodi Bohras have started pouring into Surat from across the country and abroad to participate in the 10-day religious sermons called 'Vaaz' to be delivered by his holiness Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb.
Dawoodi Bohra community leaders said Dr Syedna will arrive in the city on Tuesday.
"About 1 lakh Dawoodi Bohras are expected to descend in the city for the holy sermons to be delivered by his holiness starting from Sunday.We expect more than 30,000 members to come from abroad," a leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community Yusuf Badri said.
Badri added, "A series of religious programmes have been organized at the Dawoodi Bohra headquarters in Zampa Bazaar."
The influx of such large number of people is expected to be a booster dose for the city's business. Most of the big and small hotels and guest houses are booked till November 25. Even the rent of the apartments in and around Zampa Bazaar - the centre of attraction for Dr Burhanuddin's birthday celebrations - have doubled.
Vice-president of South Gujarat Hotels and Restaurant Association (SAHRA) Sanat Relia said, "Dr Syedna's arrival brings a good omen to the city's economy. The hotels and guest houses have been booked in advance by visitors of the Dawoodi Bohra community who will come to participate in the religious ceremony."
Owner of Garden View restaurant Paresh Mehta said, "Dawoodi Bohras love to eat Gujarati food. We have started getting a good rush during the evening hours and that most of them are Bohra customers."