Beginning from the forthcoming Rakhi festival to be celebrated on 3rd August, China will have to taste strong rebuttal in the form of significant business loss, from the people of India for its aggression at Indian Borders resulting in the death of 20 brave Indian soldiers. The boycott Chinese products campaign led by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has echoed anti-Chinese sentiment that has gripped the markets and the consumers as well.
In the last few years, China-made Rakhis and other products essential for making Rakhis like foam, pearls, drops, thread, decorative Thali etc. have captured a significant share in the Indian market.
CAIT National President Mr. B.C.Bhartia & Secretary General Mr. Praveen Khandelwal said that boycott Chinese products has emerged as a blessings in disguise as it has promoted the skills of local artisans, self help groups, women working in homes and Anganwadi etc.for making Rakhis and thereby not only providing them employment but also converting un-skilled women to semi-skilled worker by involving them to produce more and more decorative, beautiful and innovative Rakhis.
Amid the backdrop of the faceoff between China and India in Galwan, the anti-Chinese sentiment among buyers and sellers have started to show its effect as the demand of locally produced Rakhis etc. have increased. buyers are showing interest in local products to the extent that buyers are willing to pay a higher price for Rakhis made from Indian goods instead of Chinese goods. As per an estimate about 50 crore Rakhis are sold on Rakhi festival amounting to about Rs.6 Thousand crores out of which China exports to India Rakhi and other Rakhi products for a value of about Rs. 4 Thousand crores every year since the last many years. This year China is sure to get a big jolt of 4 Thousand crores of business loss.
Both Mr. Bhartia & Mr. Khandelwal said perhaps it is for the first time that beside making traditional Rakhis, the women entrepreneurship has evolved various other types of Rakhis also which includes specially made Modi Rakhi, Seed Rakhi- made from seeds and after Rakhi, seeds can be used to plant a sapling, Rakhis made from pulses, rice, wheat and other items of food grain, Rakhis made from Madhubani painting, Rakhis made from handicraft items, Rakhis made from tribal items. These Rakhis are cost effective and easy to make where no machine or technology is required.
Beside this special decorative articles from cow-dung are also being made. ” This year the real talent and art skills of Indian women will be depicted in various kinds of Rakhis. The CAIT State Chapters in each State will provide a good market for these innovative Rakhis-said Mr. Bhartia & Mr. Khandelwal
Forthcoming long festival season will start with Rakhi festival followed by Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, Durga Puja, Dhanteras, Diwali, Bhaiya Dooj, Chath Pooja and will culminate with Tulsi Vivah on 25th November. In all these festivals, no chinese goods will be used but Indian goods will be extensively used to promote India-made products.
