It’s that time of the year again – it’s getting colder and the burning of Raavan and his bros across the city has us all choking in anticipation of the main event – the night we all voluntarily OD on carbon monoxide in the name of Diwali.
But this year, China’s apparently conspiring to add more carbon monoxide to our firecrackers or give all the money it makes from this season’s sales of crackers to Pakistan so that our neighbour can fund its anti-India terror training.
That is, if Whatsapp forwards are to be believed. And rule of thumb? They’re NEVER to be believed.
Okay, jokes aside. There’s an actual push by politicians right now to boycott Chinese made goods. A new Swadeshi movement. But let’s sit back down for a slight reality check.
Your enthusiasm to not buy Chinese firecrackers this Diwali may be a little unrealistic. I mean, because you’re sharing on Facebook using your China-made phone (yes, even the iPhone) as you wear clothes, probably made in China, or sit on furniture that was, you guessed it, imported from China.
China is currently India’s largest trade partner and this exchange has gone up since 2011-2012. And sorry, but India’s exports to China have gone down by half during that same time. And it’s not just electronics. Those Ganesha idols you’re gifting family and friends this Diwali? Yup, probably Chinese.
India gets cellphones, laptops, solar cells, fertilisers, keyboards, communication equipment and even boats and ship building equipment. India, more or less, only exports cotton, copper, petroleum and industrial machinery.
See the imbalance? Especially in manufactured goods, which cost more?
Oh and those Whatsapp forwards that tell you what brands are Swadeshi, just bear in mind, a lot of them manufacture IN China, so…
If you want to boycott Chinese goods and go Swadeshi, go right ahead. Just remember a LOT of the stuff you use is probably from across the border. So maybe instead of boycotting China, we need to be trying to figure out how to send them more Indian goods.
But just in case you think I'm anti-national, here’s a gentle reminder that the 522-foot high bronze statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel which will be put up in Gujarat is going to be made in China. And also check out the lovely discounts on Made-in-China tricolours on Alibaba.
Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam
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