LUDHIANA: At a staggering 105kg, the black-and-white Shah Rukh Khan looked buff, worth every penny of the Rs 65,000 he commanded. Not too far away, a 90kg heavy Salman Khanglistened in his white coat, proud of the red stripes that fetched his owner Rs 51,000. Aamir, who was the eldest of the lot, was leaner at 65kg and more affordable at Rs 23,000. These celebrity goats at Bakra Mandi, near Jalandhar bypass, were the cynosure of all eyes as lucky buyers walked away with them on Thursday morning, two days ahead of Eid-ul-Zuha.
With the top slots being bagged by these 'big three', Saif Ali Khan and Dharmendra, male goats weighing 65kg each, remained unsold, making their owners wonder if they should have added more star appeal to the animals.
While Salman and Shah Rukh's owner was Ludhiana resident Muhammad Naseem Malik, Aamir travelled all the way from Gango Sharief in Saharanpur with Muhammad Alyas Ansari. The unsold Saif and Dharmendra belong to Muhammad Zulfikaar and his elder brother Muhammad Gulbahar of Saharanpur.
"While I sold Salman to Muhammad Ayub Khan of Jalandhar, Muhammad Raheem of Shastri Nagar bought Shah Rukh in the early hours of Thursday. I love these actors as much as I love my livestock. So I named them after the big stars. I wish I get Allah's blessings for rearing them and providing them with care," Muhammad Naseem Malik said.
Uttar Pradesh resident Muhammad Alyas Ansari said Aamir is "very reserved", and so he named him after the actor. Talking about the flock, he added: "Most of the goats belong to the Barbari breed and are known for their beauty."
A little disappointed with the lukewarm response to Saif and Dharmendra, brothers Muhammad Zulfikar and Muhammad Gulbahar said they would not lower the price. "We raised them like our kids...," they chorused.
Most of the traders selling the livestock at Bakra Mandi are from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
A Ludhiana trader, Sucha Singh Lalka, said: "Around 100-150 goats are sold in the mandi every day as Eid is on Saturday. We expect better business on Friday."
OPEN DISPLAY
With no building to keep the livestock, traders who have come from far-off places to Ludhiana have no option but to 'display' the animals on a divider near Jalandhar Bypass. At night, the man and the beast sleep under the clear blue sky.
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