Electricians ask to boycott Chinese lights

SNS | Siliguri | 27 October, 2016:Ahead of Diwali,some Siliguri-based electricians called to boycott the Chinese electrical lights following the country’s support to Pakistan after the Uri attack.

Around 30 electricians formed a body Besarkari Bidyut Karmibrinda following the development. They appealed to the shops, which sell Chinese lights, to restrain themselves from selling the products. During the time of Diwali, each electrician earns around Rs.13,000 by fixing the Chinese LEDs to the community Kali Puja and the houses . But since China supported Pakistan following the Uri attack we have decided to boycott the Chinese electrical lights. This would lead to huge financial losses as we were looking forward for Diwali till last year,” said an electrician Rohit Biswas.

“We have appealed to some shops but received lukewarm response from them. We know that the traders have stocked the lights investing lakhs for the past few months.But we have started the initiative and we are hopeful that the traders will agree,” Biswas added. Another electrician Samir Roy said people should use ‘Swedshi’electrical products.

“Over the past 15 years the Chinese lamps have been dominating the Indian markets especially during Diwali, before that the Indian lights, earthen lamps were used. The demand for earthen lamps have come reduced over the years, we would suggest people to buy Indian lights and earthen lamps,”Mr Roy said. But the Indian products are expensive compared to the Chinese products. “

A 40 feet long string of Chinese lights cost Rs.60 generally where Indian string costs Rs 95. We will also appeal to the people to boycott Chinese lights and the retail sale should be stopped,” he added.