From the land of Ayurveda, choose from alcohol- free fragrances, incense sticks and purely herbal cosmetics. India’s save the earth range includes vegetable-dyed clothes, organic foods, recycled paper, clay and ceramic utensils, papier – mache toys and potpourri of exotic herbs and dried flowers.
Even as India finds itself being swamped by consumerism and mass-production, a counter movement is slowly gaining momentum. Outlets in major metros of Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore are offering eco-friendly products. Aurovile (from Pondicherry) and the People Tree shop in Connaught Place, Delhi are two such instances.
The international congregation at Auroville, Pondicherry whose prime objective is a quest for peace and inner tranquility, has emerged as an integral part of the eco-friendly product revolution. The range, a part from being branded to appeal to save-the –earth instincts, extends from vegetable dyed clothes made by tribals in forests to natural and non-alcohol content fragrances, organic foods to home décor made out of natural items.
You’ll find hand- made paper, paper tumblers made of ceramics, clay, terracotta, paper lampshades, cloth and papier-mache toys, threads, pots, pans,dishes, potpourri of exotic herbs and flowers.
Topping the buyer’s list is the orange honey, gleaned from the orchards on the slopes of Cherrapunjee and famed for its orange flavour, consistency and sweetness. This is available in Manipur at the Bara Bazar, run mostly by Khasi women, a tourist attaraction in its own right.
India is also known for the vast choices it offers for Ayurvedic and herbal cosmetic products. Known names include Shahnaz Herbals, Dabur, Ayur and Biotique. Aromatherapy products and essential oils are genuine and competitively priced.
Incense sticks available all over India are perhaps the best value for money a visitor can get.
