Globalization leaves Siliguri potters without a light

While the Diwali festivities started weeks ago, there are some who are finding it hard to enjoy the festival. For the potters of Siliguri, Diwali, the festival of lights, lacks sparkle.

While for centuries, people had celebrated this ancient Hindu festival by lighting millions of earthen lamps around the country, these days, clay lanterns have been replaced by cheaper China-made products.

It's an effect of globalisation that's severely dulled the trade of traditional potters.

"We've been complaining to the village council but they have not helped us. We have also not received any help from the government," laments a young clay man hailing from the family of potters.

But the push to boost manufacturing in India has been given a new lease of life. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched a robust Make in India campaign in September that aims to transform India into a global manufacturing hub.

For now, crackers and decorative items from China continue to flood the country's bazaars.

Those affected by this deficit believe it will be some time before Prime Minister Modi's 'Make in India' aspirations impact the manufacturing sector. "Presently, the scenario in India is such that Chinese products have a strong hold in the market. Chinese products are of use and throw type and they are extremely cheap," said Hanumanth Dixit, a shopkeeper selling Chinese lights.

"A person buys Chinese lights, uses it for two months and then throws it away. It is high time that we start 'Make in India', and the Government brings changes in its policies. Or else the dominance of Chinese products in Indian market will continue," he added.

It's not all gloom during this annual celebration of light over darkness as a diamond merchant in Gujarat has given cars, jewellery and even homes to his workers for Diwali.

This leaves the potters of Siliguri to wish for a brighter future next year, when they hope the 'Make in India' campaign will have reignited their industry and brought handmade, earthen lamps back into the homes of Indians celebrating Diwali.