UP mulls ways to beat Chinese dazzle this Diwali
Committee tasked with suggesting ways to ensure that Indian versions replace the Chinese ones has come up with its findings
The Uttar Pradesh government has started work on providing an alternative to Chinese ‘Laxmi and Ganesh’ idols and ‘diyas’ (earthen pots) that dazzled each Diwali, primarily due to their lower costs as compared to the Indian version.
The minister for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) Siddharth Nath Singh said, “This Diwali the Indian clay idols of Laxmi and Ganesha would be better and cheaper and will outshine others. We got sculptors to give their feedback on how we could make our products better. We also got experts of fine arts to look into the ways to outshine the competition.”
“We found that our products and the material used in the preparation, vastly differed while the ones made abroad in China and elsewhere were diecast on automatic machines which lowers their pricing,” the minister said. A committee tasked with suggesting ways to ensure that Indian versions
This Diwali the Indian clay idols of Laxmi & Ganesha would be better and cheaper & will outshine others
SIDDHARTH NATH SINGH,
MSME minister
replace the Chinese ones by providing better alternatives both in terms of pricing and quality had come up with its findings. Singh said that sculptors were also being trained by the fine art experts and designers from Uttar Pradesh Institute of Design.
“Since during Diwali there is the tradition of worshipping clay idols of Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha, hence, in each district 8-inch and 12-inch dyes were being made and provided to the sculptors. This would automatically ensure that Indian versions are better and low-cost,” he said.
The minister added that officials of the Maati Kala Board set up to promote clay sculptors and provide a market to their creations, have also been asked to expedite the making of ‘diyas’ (earthen pots). “In each district dyes to cast earthen pots are also being provided,” the minister said.