Call it a spin-off of the ‘Make in India’ initiative or market dynamics, water guns made by domestic manufacturers appear to have replaced the Chinese made products that are usually popular in the market especially during festive occasions. Traders in Dehradun state that this year, most shopkeepers are opting for the Indian water guns and Holi toys because the variety in Indian products is wider and more attractive while their prices are also similar to the Chinese products which earlier had an edge over the domestic products due to lower prices.
Talking about the increased preference for the Indian products in the market this year the owner of a shop near Clock Tower, Vikas Chand said that though there is a presence of Chinese products too but the traders are opting for the domestic products supplied from Delhi and other parts of North India.
He said, “The water guns and other items made in India are similar in price to the Chinese products. In addition to this, the Indian items have a wider variety which the children find attractive.
The prices of these items start from Rs 40 and go up to Rs 1000 a piece. There are some new products from Indian manufacturers like colour crackers and poppers which are attractive and low in price. This has made them popular among the people,” he added.
Another trader plying his business near the Clock Tower said that in the past, Chinese made water guns were more popular in the local market but this year the Indian products are dominating the market. “I think it is because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ push that the domestic products appear to have replaced the Chinese products in the market,” he opined.
It is pertinent to mention here that though various Chinese made products are available in the local markets, the presence of such products tends to increase especially during festivals like Deepawali and Holi with Chinese illuminations, fancy items, idols and water guns being popular among customers. However, this year the domestic products appear to have the upper hand in the local market in Dehradun.