More people flock to buy earthern lamps as opposition against Chinese goods during Diwali grows

DEHRADUN: Amid growing opposition to the use of Chinese products during Diwali, local artisans have reported more interest by people in their items. In the past few months, a few organizations in the city have called for a boycott of Chinese goods while messages on social media continue to urge Indians to boycott these products.
This has resulted in a rise in the sale of indigenous products such as earthen lamps as well as other decorative items as the local residents give the boot to Chinese lights and other items.
Potters, some of whom were contemplating quitting their profession due to declining sales of earthenware products, have reported healthy sales this year with many people placing orders for mud lanterns, earthern lamps as well as decorative products ahead of Diwali.
Talking to TOI, Ganga Sharan Prajapati, a shopkeeper on the busy Chakrata road, said, "There is an increased awareness among those shopping for the festive season this year as many shoppers are rejecting China-made items.”
This has lit up hopes of over 100 artisans in the Idgah Kumar Mandi in the centre of the city who toil throughout the day to prepare items such as diyas and karwas.
A potter, Shubham Kashyap, said, “Our profession is a like a family legacy we are trying to sustain. This year public sentiment is against Chinese products which is leading more buyers to ask for locally prepared items. Unlike the past few years, this year we are seeing good sales of items such as earthen lamps even a week before Diwali.”
Many shopkeepers in Paltan Bazar and Karanpur market said that the demand for Indian decorative items for Diwali has surpassed that of the Chinese products this year.
“We have tried to stock more of the India-made items this year as buyers are keen on them,” said a shopkeeper in Paltan Bazar.