Andhra Pradesh - Tirupati   

Beware, the Chinese are here

A.D. Rangarajan

TIRUPATI: If you are among those who think that the `Made in China' tag sells only in the electronics and consumer goods segment, you are probably wrong.

To the surprise of many, the "market-thirsty" Chinese have aggressively entered an area that is not only totally alien to them. Yes, it is the making of musical instruments with red sanders. The Chinese go all out to capture newer markets. Otherwise, who would think of procuring an endemic wood variety from India, make some value addition and sell the same to Japan, of course at a premiuim?

Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus), referred to locally as `Rakthachandanam' or `Yerrachandanam', is a major redwood variety that is witnessing unbridled smuggling to the South-East Asia.

Tradition

The organised smuggling racket sees that the wood is ferried out of the country via Chennai, from where it goes to Singapore before reaching its final destination, Japan. Japanese custom has it that the wood is used to make a musical instrument `Shamosin' to be presented to a bride during wedding. Till now, this is believed to be the major reason for the smuggling run.

The Forest Department is perturbed by the emergence of the "Chinese angle'' to the issue, as Chinese craftsmen have reportedly entered the fray in a big way. According to highly placed sources, Chinese agents procure the smuggled wood from Singapore and get musical instruments made there before selling the same to Japan.

"As Japan is expected to be a promising market as long as the tradition attached to wedding remains, Chinese agents will continue to hold sway in the international market, given the country's cheap labour edge," a senior IFS official told The Hindu .

Investment option

Also, the wood is considered a prized investment option in China as they preserve it for 20-30 years before selling it for a huge profit. Chinese also have a belief that using red sanders to make the main door of their house would bring them good luck. This is somewhat similar to the belief prevalent in Chittoor and Kadapa districts.

The Forest Department, which has recently secured permission from the Centre to sell the wood in raw form on a one-time basis, is expecting to liquidate its stock and thus meet the huge demand for the wood in the international market.

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