Happy Holi

Life is more colourful (and Chinese) across Delhi, Namya Sinha and Aastha Saxena report.

This Holi, your pichkaris might just come with a ‘made in China’ tag as shopkeepers are stocking up on goods from across the border. Pichkaris in the shape of guns, rabbits, dumbbells and other unidentifiable objects have taken over the traditional steel pichkaris.

HT Image

The biggest plus: they are cheaper and more colourful as far as gulal is concernd. Herbal colours are hot for health-conscious Delhiites. Several shops are stacked with dry tesu flowers as customers love them for the beautiful hue of saffron they create when dipped in hot water. Besides colours, this year gujiyas were the hottest selling items around town.

However, the response from the younger crowd has been less enthusiastic than before. “Market thanda hai is baar. Logon ke paas zyaada paisa nahin hai,” said Bhola Ram, a salesman at Bengali market.