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Saturday, the August
16, 2008 is Raksha-Badhan , which falls on the full moon day in the Hindu month of
Shravan, sisters tie decorative threads on their brother's wrist, symbolic of their love, and the brothers vow to protect them. Rakhis ranging from Rs.5 to Rs 1,500, in various new patterns have hit the
shelves of the market. Rakhis with images of gods and goddesses are being seen for the first time. 'Made in China' rakhis also available in the market with satin threads, they have small toys, dolls and flowers pasted on them. |
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But most people preparing to celebrate
Raksha-bandhan on Saturday seem unaware of the possible risks of the new rakhis with the ‘Made in China’ tag which have become an instant hit.
Unlike the string-and-bead Indian rakhis, these have figurines of characters like Pokeman and Hanuman on satin bands, and cost anywhere between Rs20 and Rs450. The figurines can be reused as toys or
stick-ons.
It’s the bright colours on these figurines which are a cause of concern because millions of
Chinese-made toys have been withdrawn from markets in the US and Europe after they were found to contain lead-based paint that can harm a child if ingested. |
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Abhay Kumar, a scientist with Toxics Links, the
Mumbai-based NGO which tested the Chinese toys to confirm their lead content, says the colours and PVC material used in the rakhis are similar to those of the toys. “The brighter the
rakhi, the more dangerous it is. And, unlike toys, the rakhis are unbranded - so the risk is greater.”
Nobody in India is talking about the quatily of toys or other items made in India and their lead content. America has very strict safety laws regrding childre's toys and these laws are very widely inplemented and respected. They have set their house in order a long time back and therefore they are aghast at their importers not being able to keep these standards.
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