Huge jump in demand for traditional clay lamps, Chinese products lag behind

Prayagraj, October 16 (IANS). As the festival of Diwali approaches, people’s support for nationalism and indigenous products is visible across India. The slogans of ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Make in India’ are no longer just political slogans but breathe new life into traditional artisans and self-help groups. This is the reason why this Diwali people show more interest in traditional earthen lamps instead of Chinese products. Women-led self-help groups light up Prayagraj with handmade candles. A similar trend is also seen in the local markets. The message of Vocal for Local has not only influenced shopping trends, but has also empowered many self-help groups run by women. These women make handmade wax lamps and decorative candles, the demand for which is so great that they find it very difficult to meet them. “We make candles day and night, but the demand is very high. This is the first time that our products are preferred over machine-made or imported products,” a self-help group member told IANS. Thanks to this incentive, these women not only contribute to the celebration of festivals, but also strengthen their economic independence. The government’s emphasis on promoting local products is showing concrete results. With traditional earthen lamps making a comeback in popularity and local women pioneering small-scale industries, this Diwali is set to be even brighter for thousands of Indian families. In Varanasi’s Suddhipur village, more than 2,500 potters (potters) work tirelessly to meet the growing demand for traditional earthen lamps. After years of neglect and the plague of cheap Chinese LED lights, days are finally looking up for these artisans. –IANS SCH/PSK Share this story Tags