It's India vs China in city sky on festival of lights

LUCKNOW: India and China might be fighting for border control but in the crackers market this season, the winner is clear. Crackers made in China have flooded the market and taken over their Indian counterparts in sales.
Variety, affordability and the ease of use that comes with Chinese firecrackers is strongly attracting buyers. While Indian manufacturers witness a creative standstill, Chinese productions are going a step higher in bringing artistic innovation with every product they launch.
"Attractive packaging, bright colours and affordable price range is a more lucrative option for buyers. Some crackers have strings that you can pull to burst them, some don't even require a light to be ignited and can be blasted by force or by throwing on a surface. Such things become the USP of Chinese items," said Vishnu Sahu, a wholesale trader in Aishbagh. According to traders and retailers, the quality of low-priced Chinese crackers is better than the Indian ones but the same thing cannot be said about safety. Chinese crackers are more dangerous. Mohd Guddu, a retailer in Raqabganj, said, "Chinese crackers are high in demand but they are usually in the use-and-throw category.
The risk is high as the Rs 30 gun that comes with bullets and missile attachments can blast on its own with excessive use.
As some crackers need no fire spark and can be alternatively pushed with force to burst, it might be risky to keep it in boxes or bags or in the hands of children without adult supervision. "Customers are aware that Chinese items are risky, yet their sale is higher because of how low they are priced. A Chinese cracker gun worth Rs 30 has no Indian alternative in that size and the ones that do come start Rs 200 onwards," quips Mohd Guddu.
Being aware yet ignorant of the risks, Gurpreet Singh, who was buying crackers with his son, chose to go for Chinese items.
"Chinese items are not very dependable we know, but it's just for a few hours that my son will be using it. After that they will be thrown away. In such cases, with the low prices, it makes a good deal," he said.