German 'magic umbrellas' promise flowery monsoon

Varanasi, July 27 (UNI) While the FIFA World Cup in Germany gave soccer lovers a reason to stay awake late at nights, umbrellas from the same European nation now hold a promise of ushering flowery monsoon in India.

The latest arrival in the umbrella market here has been single-coloured umbrellas from Germany, which besides, protecting the commoners from mighty monsoon also exhibit patterns of different flowers, on being splashed with rain.

These German umbrellas are pitched in the market against the Chinese ones which have already established themselves during last seven years.

A wholesale umbrella dealer in the business for the last 60 years in the Chowk area, Jai Narayan told UNI that the German umbrella is the most interesting product to have hit the market here, since the Made in China, 'Kargil Umbrella' in 1999.

Being sold in the name of 'Magic Umbrella', the roof of the German umbrella, exhibits patterns of flowers and leaves immediately after coming in contact with water. These patterns fade away as the water evaporates and any effort to fiddle with the shape of the interesting pattern is bound to turn futile, Mr Narayan added.

The magic umbrella priced at Rs 175 and available in big sizes only, is still to find favour among people here. ''Such things take atleast two to three years to gain currency in mini-metros, unlike the more fashion savvy metro cities,'' he added.

Meanwhile, the colourful, light, soft and most importantly cheap Chinese umbrellas are ruling the roost. ''The heavy cotton umbrellas are a passe with the public, which is making a beeline for Chinese umbrellas priced between Rs 30 and Rs 100.

''The Chinese umbrellas are a hit especially among the kids, who are fascinated by images of toon characters, including Micky Mouse and Donald Duck. Besides, these polyster umbrellas are cheap, easy to carry and handle,'' said Uma, who runs an umbrella and rain coat shop at Chowk.

One Chinese umbrella -- the missile shaped Kargil umbrella -- whose arrival in the city coincided with the Kargil war is still the favourite among men, said Uma.

But, while the much awaited monsoon activity has brought smiles to the faces of toon characters painted on umbrellas, ready to become school children best friend, their sellers are far from becoming gleeful.

''Though the business has been better than the last two years, when there was sale drought due to weak monsoon, this year, late arrival of monsoon followed by absence of prolonged rain has not helped our cause much,'' said Uma.

''Profit will rain in our business only when there is prolonged monsoon activity for at least ten days and not in patches,'' she added.

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