Move over Chinese checkers; this is the age of Chinese chakkars. From rather creative crackers to easy, paste-it rangoli patterns, Diwali in Delhi is all about the Chinese invasion this time.
Wholesale dealers and neighbourhood shops are high on ‘Made in China’ festive stocks — everything from stick-on rangolis and even Laxmi’s foot prints (Rs 20-35), crackers (Rs 10-1000), decorative items like Ganesha and Laxmi idols (Rs 20-300) and Chinese lights and lamps (Rs 50 onwards). And they are a sellout.
“I recently bought a Chinese rangoli kit for Rs 200 and some stick-on Laxmi feet. The kit has six colours, ready designs and an applicator. For a working woman like me who has no time to make a rangoli, this has made life much easier,” says Anuja Sinha, 32.
Another hot seller is the range of no-fire crackers— which light up without fire. Then, there are ‘Chinese lights’, which have replaced rented fairy lights and even the traditional diya. "Since these come very cheap and consume less power, people are buying metres after metres, even though they last just one season." says Kaushal Singh of Singh Lights in Chandni Chowk’s Electricity Market.
“These lights are cheaper and colourful. I also bought the Made-in-China idols. They are more affordable and had more variety,” says Sneha Makhija, a home maker. “China ka maal toh hamesha hi hit hota hai (Chinese stocks are always a hit). They are cheap and stylish,” says Suman Kumar, a vendor in Chandni Chowk.
“Even the popular bijli bomb has a Chinese version this time,” says Kaku Singh, a vendor in Pandav Nagar..
“These lights are cheaper and colourful. I also bought the Made-in-China idols. They are more affordable and had more variety,” says Sneha Makhija, a home maker. “China ka maal toh hamesha hi hit hota hai (Chinese stocks are always a hit). They are cheap and stylish,” says Suman Kumar, a vendor in Chandni Chowk.
“Even the popular bijli bomb has a Chinese version this time,” says Kaku Singh, a vendor in Pandav Nagar..
However, the health and safety standards of these Chinese products remains in question. It’s no wonder then, that indigenous cracker makers are issuing warnings against fakes through the media.