Panaji / Margao (Goa) Be it decorative items like lights, gift items, lamps, candles and wall hangings or other product, the people of Goa are going for ‘Made in India- Traditional’ items to celebrate the festival of light- Diwali. This has drastically affected the sale of Chinese goods in the market.
This Diwali, the markets in the State, which are abuzz, is seen full of traditional items than China made products, giving clear indication that there is no market left for Chinese products anymore.
Customers are boycotting China-made items in wake of the strained relations between the two neighbouring nations. Ever since the troops of the two countries engaged in a standoff at Doklam, nationalist sentiments have been on the rise, with many groups calling for the boycott of Chinese products. The call seems to have resonated among the masses. People are resorting to Indian items over Chinese ones.
“We are been taught in school that we should go only for India made products. We should buy items that are produced by people from our Country. This will bring money to our country,” Avani, a student from St VI, said as she was busy buying lamps and dress for Diwali, along with her mother and elder sister Reva.
“My ten year old son has requested us not to go for China made items for the festival or any other occasion. He says, we should be proud of India and the martyrs,” Anand Mayenkar, said, as he shops traditional lamps, along with his wife and son in the Panaji municipal market.
The shopkeepers here too say that people have completely boycotted Chinese items; despite they are sold at cheaper rate compared to India made products. “If you take a round in the market, you will see very few people have put up Chinese items for sale. This is because, the all India trend is no for China made products,” Muzaffir, a shop keeper said.
The most sought after Chinese items are fancy lights, lampshades, Ganesha and Laxmi idols, rangolis and crackers. However, this Diwali, people have replaced these items with Indian products.
The Margao Gandhi market, too witnessed a similar picture. The market is full of traditional decors, with people buying it in large. “This is a new trend, which we are witnessing. We never saw people going for traditional items as they are always costlier. But this time, people are going for it. There is massive business for India made products this season,” Mangaldas, a vendor said.
