Chinese idols are shining this Diwali

Chinese fireworks and decorative lights are a must buy on most Diwali shoppers' list every year. Ritam Halder reports.

Chinese fireworks and decorative lights are a must buy on most Diwali shoppers' list every year.

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This year, however, Lakshmi and Ganesh idols are also available with a 'Made in China' tag, as fiberglass figurines - with comparatively slanted eyes - have flooded the city markets and are selling like hot cakes.

Artificial flowers, candles and fancy light-cum-crackers are also coming with multiple choices, courtesy China.

In Diwali markets at Sadar Bazar and Karol Bagh, where thousands of Delhiites turned up on Monday for the final day of festive shopping, idols of Indian gods and goddesses are facing strict competition from their cheaper Chinese counterparts.

Many shoppers are taking home these figurines after being assured that they are "water resistant", while others are happy with the cheap options available.

Manoj Kumar, a trader in Karol Bagh, whose footpath shop sells Lakshmi and Ganesh idols in all shapes, sizes and materials, informed that apart from the "home-made" idols he gets every year from Agra, this time the unique China-made deities, which he claims won't get damaged by water, are selling quite well. "As a customer, one would want durability, which is what these are offering.

The Indian idols are selling but not much when compared to these," Manoj said.For someone like Ashok Kumar, a fibre glass idolmaker sitting a few metres away, business was dim as people were not interested in his works.

"The Chinese ones are making life difficult for us. It was just lights and crackers earlier!" Ashok exclaimed.Most traders claimed that they were selling 'Indian' products and pointed at a neighbouring store and vice-versa.