DELHIITES SAY TO 'MADE IN CHINA' GOODS AT SADAR BAZAAR, VENDORS FACE 20-25% LOSS

Delhiites say to 'Made in China' goods at Sadar Bazaar, vendors face 20-25% loss

Shopkeepers and wholesalers at Delhi's biggest wholesale market, Sadar Bazaar, seem to be pay ing the price for China's continued support towards Pakistan and for voting in the United Nations against Indian interests. With tensions between India and Pakistan escalating, a social media campaign ­ #BoycottChinaProduct ­ to boycott Chinese goods, has begun to show results.

A fake letter urging people to boycott Chinese goods and go `swadeshi', signed by PM Modi, was being circulated on social media. Despite the PM's official Twitter account announcing that the document isn't authentic, the viral post and ongoing campaigns have actually impacted people, and vendors at Sadar Bazaar are getting tired of answering, `Yeh India ka hai ya China ka?

`20-25% LOSS HO GAYA HAI'

The market, which is famous for Chinese lights, gift items, door hangings, lamps, wall hangings and other decorative items, is now facing a decline in sales due to the campaign. Mohammad Ali, a shopkeeper at Sadar Bazaar, said, “People have started asking us about our goods. Pehle toh bas Chinese hi mangte thay kyunki woh saste hote thay. People have started questioning if our products are from China. Iss mahaul ki wajah se hi 20-25% ka loss ho gaya hai. Agar koi rule aa gaya toh pata nahi kya hoga.“

Aadil Rehman, another shopkeeper, said, “This time, we're selling more Indian-made lamps because of the increasing demand. Jabse yeh sab hua, tabse log bahut poochne lage hain, tabhi hum Indian lamps zyada laye hain. Sirf fairy lights rakhein hain kyunki yeh India mein koi banata nahi hai.“

Another shopkeeper, Mohammad Arafeen, said that business this time is nothing as compared to the last year. “Last year, Dussehra tak humara bahut achha business tha. Iss bar , waisa business nahi ho paya hai, humara toh poora maal hi China se aaya hai. Har cheez yahan China ki hi hai. Agar logon ne bilkul nahi liya toh humara toh saara samaan kharab ho jayega.“

`AB TOH DESH KI BAAT HAI'

While talking to these shopkeepers, a customer who was there to buy lights, told us, “Koi nahi le raha China ke saaman, aur lena bhi nahi chahiye.“ When we asked her if the social media campaign had actually made a difference, she said, “Aur nahi toh kya? Yeh dekho, mere paas toh phone mein Modiji ka message bhi hai.“

Krishna Lal, another buyer said, “Everyone has heard about the campaign. I've also bought only Indian products ­ ab toh desh ki baat hai.“

`CUSTOMERS KO JHOOT BOLNA PAD RAHA HAI'

While taking the stroll through the market, some shopkeepers told us that this time, they're selling only Indian goods. Kunal Soni, who sells diyas, lights, lamps and other decorative items, told us, “We would sell goods made in both India and China, but there was always more demand for Chinese goods. But this time, because of the tense situation, we're selling only only Indian lights, lamps and diyas. Ab yeh sara naya saaman Shahdara main banne laga hai , wahin se la rahein hain.“ Another shopkeeper, who did not wish to be named, said, “Sab China ka hai, par logon ko jhooth bolna pad raha hai ki India ka hai. India mein kahan milta hai aisa samaan?

Log lenge nahi, toh India ka batake bech rahein hain.“

`CHINA KA NAAM MAT LO'

While some vendors were open to talking about the matter, others chose to ignore questions about Chinese goods. A polite, `Aapko kya chahiye?' was replaced with, `China ka naam bhi mat lena, yahaan kuch nahi hai wahan ka'. Some even got angry and asked us, “Aapko kya? Hum toh bas yahaan kaam karte hain, humein kuch nahi pata.“

 (toi)