Diwali 2018: Chocolates, not 'khilone', sweeten festival now in National Capital

With just a few days left for Diwali, every market in the national capital has come alive with lights and Rangoli. However, the once constant celebratory accessory is now inconspicuous by its absence in most stores — khilone or toys made out of sugar.

These toys, a long-standing tradition among children of all ages, have been nudged aside by sugar-free sweets and chocolates. But for years, these toys – crafted into shapes of animals, household objects, fruits, flowers or implements – were bought by the kilo in most parts of North India, such as Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana. Children would play with them, and then end the festival on a 'sweet' note by eating them.

However, vendors in the biggest wholesale market, Khari Baoli believe that growing hunger for sugar-free sweets and handmade chocolates have edged them out of the market.

"The increase in people diagnosed by diabetes in metro cities is the biggest reason for the dip in sales," says Praveen Agarwal, who runs a shop in Batasha galli, Khari Baoli, near Sadar Bazaar.

Apart from a concern for health, many customers prefer decorative and attractive sweets or chocolates, which cost more but look better. "At one time, buyers found sugar-free sweets expensive, but now a major chunk of our sales come from them," says Deepchand Bansal, who owns a sweet shop in Noida, "Now, even we don't buy khilone for our homes."

Yet once, khilone were the highlight of a child's diwali. "Even my grandchildren do not like khilone any more," rues Agarwal, "They want imported chocolates. If this is the situation in my home, how can I expect a demand for them in the market?"