Be Indian, buy Indian—This year no Rakhis from China

For India, the occasion of Raksha Bandhan kicks off the festive mood. But it is not just India that looks forward to this festival; China too eagerly awaits this occasion as it spells moolah for the dragon. According to the Confederation of All India Traders (Cait), sales related to the festival alone are estimated at approximately Rs 6,000 crore annually of which about Rs 4,000 crore worth products are made in China.

For the last few years, India has not only not imported finished Rakhis from China but also other items such as foam, paper foil, thread, pearls, drops, and decorative items required to make the band—sourced from the dragon nation.

This year, things are set to change as retailers and traders have decided to give China a pass in the wake of unprecedented anti-Chinese sentiments after 20 Indian soldiers died in the Galwan Valley clash.

Cait in a statement said that this year no Chinese goods will be used for the festive season.

“In order to encourage the brave soldiers who are guarding the borders of the country, the women's wing of the Cait will give 5,000 Rakhis to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for the soldiers. Cait will also provide Rakhis to the soldiers recruited in military hospitals in each city of the country,” the apex body claiming to represent seven crore traders, said.

Hitherto Rakhis, made in China, have been popular among Indians. These bands not only found a huge market in the urban areas but also in the hinterland.

Cait, which is spearheading a movement to boycott Chinese goods under its mission ‘Bharatiya Saamaan-Hamara Abhiman’ has made an elaborate strategy to ensure that goods made indigenously are sold instead of imported cheap ones from China.

Earlier a survey conducted by Cait also highlighted that over 90 per cent of Indian consumers supported the need to boycott Chinese products.

Cait has also launched an aggressive campaign, ‘Indian goods-our pride,’ underscoring the need to buy products made in India instead of cheap substandard Chinese goods..