Chinese water guns popular this Holy

Lucknow, Mar 1: Colourful Chinese water guns and pistols have flooded the domestic market in the backdrop of the 'festival of colours' -- Holi-- falling on March 4.

Made of light plastic, a whole range of Chinese 'pichkaris' (sprinklers, water guns and water sprays) are selling like hot cakes in the markets.

Priced upward of Rs 10 for a water pistol, these Chinese water guns are also available with a price tag of Rs 2,500 for a large 'machine-gun' capable of holding 6 litres of water at one time and offering unlimited scope of Holi revelry.

This 'arsenal' of Chinese-origin comprise a whole range of 'arms' to suit every pocket and size. On offer are water pistols, rifles, guns, machine guns and rocket-launchers, packaged in attractive polythene jackets to lure children and an odd adult too. Take your pick.

Roadside kiosk to big outlets are choc-a-block with these Chinese toy guns, which have wrestled out the Indian varieties from the market, both at the end of retail sellers and buyers alike. But, no one seem to complain.

''People do not prefer Indian water guns, since Chinese counterparts are visually vibrant and durable, besides having better production quality and finish,'' Anish Agarwal, a vendor at the Sadar Market here told UNI.

The Chinese goods, which made a humble entry in the Indian markets about three years back, now hold a virtual monopoly in the water gun segment, he remarked.

Anish and another vendor Manoj also confided that the Chinese items gave better profit margins vis-a-vis India-made Holi-specific water toys. These water guns are specially being liked by children in the age group of 10-12 years, they informed.

All the major Lucknow markets viz Aminabad, Aliganj, Ganeshganj, Sadar, Mahanagar, Nishatganj, Gomtinagar and Alambagh are colourfully decorated with a string of permanent and make-shift shops selling the Holi thems, including water guns, colours, sweets, clothes, balloons, caps and 'puja' items.

Since Holi and Diwali have now acquired a rather cosmopolitan character, even some Muslims could be spotted buying water toys for their kids.

The rather conservative timings of closing shops here has stretched to around 2300 hrs to cater to the steady stream of Holi shoppers, who are venturing out late to prepare for the big festival.

The weekly closure of different markets here also stand suspended in the wake of Holi with the traders cashing in on the festive mood.

Meanwhile, people now prefer to buy gulal rather than chemical dyes and colours for Holi.

''The sale of gulal is now at par the traditional chemical dyes.

Even in gulal, people are asking for herbal varieties, which are almost twice as costly as normal gulal,'' another vendor at Aminabad market Ashok Kumar said.

Gulal is generally available in red, pink, green and yellow shades and sold in pocket-size satchets of 50-100 gms.

Interestingly, a 'magic colour' spray is also much in demand this time round. It vanishes after some time without the need to wash it and leaves no stains.

UNI