NEW DELHI -- China's invasion of India in 1962 was perhaps less of a humiliation for India than Beijing's latest attempt at capturing its market.
Whether it is New Delhi or Madras or Bangalore or Ahmedabad or Cochin or Shillong, cheap Chinese consumer goods have flooded the country's stores. Dry cell batteries, electric irons, ceiling fans, toys and cycles are among a host of other items which are giving homemade goods a very hard time.
What was a trickle six months ago is now a torrent which, incidentally, has the support of shopkeepers and consumers. While retailers receive higher commissions for Chinese goods than for most made-in-India labels, buyers are happy that they are getting higher quality at lower prices.