In Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, potters have started producing environmentally friendly diyas, or earthen lamps, in advance of Diwali, the festival of lights. During the Diwali festival, oil lamps called diyas are lit. They are formed by pressing a thumb into a ball of clay, which is how they are made.
Raj Kumar further said that the arrival of Chinese idols in the market does not make any significant difference to their work. However, the potters face some issues due to the shortage of soil used in the making of the lamps.
Earlier, they used to get the soil for making lamps from rivers but now they are not allowed to do so due to restrictions hence, they have to purchase soil for Rs 6 to 7 thousand per tractor.