IANS
Stockholm, Dec 11(mb): At least 2,00,000 handmade stars made in the India and supplied to Watt & Vekes, a lighting emporium in Stockholm, will illuminate Swedish homes during the Christmas season.
It is a collaboration between two entrepreneurs who are dedicated to "spreading the light of peace and joy", Swedish lighting expert Monika Lindstrom said even as her Indian collaborator, Delhi-based Virender Kumar, nodded happily.
Lindstrom, over the past seven years, has developed an impressive import network from India to Sweden. While her main item is Christmas stars from Kumar's factory in Delhi, she imports a large variety of other lighting material from manufacturers all over India: Moradabad, Jaipur and other places.
"It all started in 2000," Lindstrom told IANS. "I was attending Top Drawer, an illuminations' fair in London and there met Virender. He, without difficulty, charmed me to come to India and look at his stars, which I promptly did.
"The were simply gorgeous... irresistible. I immediately ordered 5,000 of them, all handmade. Since then my imports have grown all of 40 times. This year Virender has supplied me 1,00,000 big stars and as many smaller ones. It looks like soon there will not remain a window in Sweden that is not lit up by an Indian star!"
"And," she added, "before I proceed, I'll let you in on an aspect of our Christmas trade with India that will fill Santa Claus with immense joy: none of the factories that supply us from India employs any child labour. We are very particular about that."
Kumar was visiting Lindstrom to savour the fast growing trade: Sitting in her office in Eskilstuna, a little away from Stockholm, they are planning a considerable expansion and diversion of the volume of their business ventures for next year.
"The products manufactured in India have vastly improved in keeping with the exigent demand for optimum quality from domestic consumers," explained Kumar. "They only want the best".
Lindstrom agreed, saying: "India has developed enormously since the 1990s. Now there are a growing number of manufacturers and suppliers with far better conditions as well as products to offer; and, there is no hassle in importing procedures as there used to be earlier."
Before launching Watt & Vekes, Monica was a purchaser for the Swedish mega household goods supplier, IKEA, in their illuminations department.
"I have considerable experience doing business in the East, especially China," she said. "However, I much prefer to do it in India. Here, I find much greater warmth of person-to-person feelings and personal integrity in my clients. For example, Virender, far from being just a supplier, has turned into a very good friend as well as becoming most appreciably engaged in our products and business development."
Responded Kumar: "Monika has taught us a great deal. We have toned down the stark Indian light festivals' hues to accommodate Swedish tastes and bring about syntheses with the famed Scandinavian design. Here we concentrate on creating beautiful objects with minimalist details and lighter colours," said Kumar.
"Monika and I drive all around Stockholm," he added with the charming enthusiasm of a first time White Christmas viewer.
"It is fantastic behold all the lit stars dispelling the overall darkness during most part of the day".
The growth prospect appears most encouraging: "That is why we are already choosing, designing models for next year's season," said the ever-entrepreneurial Lindstrom.