Made-in-China toys make way into Shidlaghatta

No childs play

The residents in the taluk, who have vehemently opposed import of silk from China, are caught by the beauty of these ‘made-in-China’ stuffed toys kept for sale by families migrated from Andhra Pradesh.

Open market

The families have put up tents on the bank of Ammanakere tank and sell the toys under the large banyan trees.

Apart from these toys, they have spectacles and also hats in different colours for
children.

“We have come from Andhra. We sell different goods, considering the demand for such things in the market. The traders in Andhra supply us these toys and we sell them for a fixed commission,” said Padma, one of the sellers.

Rated

The toys are sold for varied prices ranging between Rs 250 and Rs 1,000. As the young ones stood mesmerised by the beauty of these toys, an elderly man said: “We have suffered loss due to the onslaught of importing raw silk from China.

“Now, the China toys are being sold here. It’s difficult to assess the  impact it would have on the local industries and market.”