By Archana Sharma

Jaipur, Jun 26 (IANS): As the Boycott China campaign gains ground in India, people in Jaipur have begun a self-initiated drive to manufacture 'Made in India' LED lights. The aim is to make this year's Diwali different, and also to ensure that the home decor is done with country made indigenous goods and shun anything which is Chinese.

The initiative is being taken under the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan' by the Seva Bharati, an entity dedicated to taking up social causes.

Dharamchand Jain, who is associated with Seva Bharati, is heading the initiative. He said, "We will start selling these LED lights in the market before the Diwali season. Initially, there were challenges to buy raw material as the markets were closed under the lockdown phase, however, as the unlock period has started, we collected raw material which was completely Indian.

"The copper-made wires are Indian and we are buying it from Delhi and Ahmedabad local markets. Even the caps and holders are Indian. Meanwhile, there was a challenge in getting indigenous LED bulbs because the Chinese bulbs were dominating the market, and hence we collected Taiwan bulbs as our mission is to boycott China made goods", said Jain.

For the initiative to be a success, Seva Bharati is also imparting training to the unemployed people from the Kachhi Basti in Jaipur.

"We have already trained dozens of teams within two weeks. More teams are being trained and the process will go onwards till Diwali to ensure the market is flooded with 'Made in India' LED lights this year. Many people are showing their interest in this drive and we are hand holding them to ensure that they have their own livelihood, and an earning platform through which we can end our dependence on the China-made Diwali lights," he added.

"In fact, our LED lights shall be much more durable and will also last longer as compared to the Chinese lights, which were more like use and throw products. Our lights will last for 3-4 years," Jain said, adding that the lights are 40-feet long with over 50-120 bulbs. Initially, each day, six people were being trained and this number is increasing gradually.

These LED lights, meanwhile, are being produced under the Atmanirchar Bharat Abhiyaan, said Sewa Bharati Prant Mantri Girdharilal. Adding that besides LED lights, training is also being imparted to other people for producing other electronic devices.