Light the light Aesthetically

By Osama Manzar
Apart from being a philosophic word, the light, has now entered into the world of art. Where, light, apart from the agency by which objects are rendered visible, matter more that how the objects are being rendered visible. How artistically, how ethnically, how traditionally, how mechanically and ofcourse how economically the objects get the light. In a way that it should have less input and more output, no side effect whatsoever and hardly there should be any complain.
As a matter of fact, the lighting industry in India has been in existence for over 60 years now. Yet, it is only in the last decade that it has acquired a semblance of maturity in international terms. Probably, because India hosted its first International Conference and Exhibition on Lighting Technology, christened Prakash ‘91, last year.
The conference-cum-exhibition, however, focussed the attention of the international lighting community on the lighting scenario in the developing world. Not denying the fact, that the picture in these countries differs enormously from that of the developed world - in terms of needs, re sources, numbers and obstacles. Fortunately in India, the lighting industry has been growing at a rapid pace in magnitude, complexity and technology. Growth in the industry, the trade, the number of professionals and scientists in the field, in innovators and pacesetters, are quite apparent. Yet, awareness of this growth, of the various facets of the industry, is regrettably low. Also, awareness, in terms of growth of this particular industry in the European Community, is extremely low among the Indian counterparts.
The world lighting industry is dynamic and progressive. Vast changes have been noticed in recent years. New lighting products, new concepts, new standards, and new applications are emerging. India, too, is growing, but under standably at a slower pace. The knowledge and information gap however, needs to be bridged and updates.
Seeing a sea-change in European light industries, the lighting shops, previously established in the Bhagirath Place, near Chandni Chowk, came up with new technology and now established them in the Lok Nayak Bhavan shopping complex, Khan Market. This is a shopping complex, exclusively for lighting fixtures. The complex which had started in 1980, with its, then, only shop of DECON, has now around 21 light shops, apart from other shops of leather goods, fashion wear, etc. Says Mr Livinder Singh, MD, DECON Lighting Pvt. Ltd., “We were the first lighting shop when the Lok Nayak Bhavan shopping complex came into existence in 1980. Then, there was no other shop and the sold was negligible. Later, some of the shops came up to sell only reproduets”. Elaborating more, Mr Singh further said, “The 21 shops here, offer wide range of lighting fixtures, not only in price range but also the quality and design. Moreover, first Russian order for 5000 houses in erstwhile USSR, has been ‘done in such a qualitative manner that they became surprised to get the delivery which happened to be qualitatively as good as any European product and of course by paying less”, According other sources, gradually, with rising qualitative product and versatile designs, other European communities started enquiring because for them European products are very expensive.
Lighting, for that matter, is an extremely labour intensive, hightech components, made to be high quality with many small inputs. Taiwan, for instance, is considered to be the pioneer in lighting products, from every point of view. But, at the same time, they have an advantage of ‘Patron Protection Designs’. That means every manufacturer has right over his product, which no one can copy. Unfortunately, India, suffers this particular protection. Opines, Mr Livinder Singh of DECON, “There should be a proper and strict court of commercial practice like Indian Consumers Act so that the identity of the product could be protected”.At The time Livinder also claims, “We produce the product so good, no one can copy it; even if they copy, they cannot put the soul into it”. Mr. Livinder, unlike other manufacturers, is an engineer who has lot of abroad experience and eventfully struggling hard for the last 20 years to give the best possible. Says proudly the managing director, “Tata Energy Research is now going to be the enteusian of my production facility”.
Meanwhile GE the American Giant in engineering plastics them- shortly going to introduce them selves into Indian market. Reveal ed Mr. Livinder, “DECON will be first to adopt their technology”. The statement cannot be taken as ‘to exaggerating’, as DECON is one of those pioneers who possess all the facilities like, R & D department, laboratory, testing and various means of up gradation facilities.
With an increasing number of shops, an association of shop keepers has also been formed by the name of Loknayak Shopkeeper’s Association. Mr. R. N. Agarwal, proprietor Rajkamal Lights, at present, is the president of the association and he himself formed the ssociation three years back. As the revealed, the light industries, shopped in. the Loknayak Bhavan have a turnover of over 20 crore, this year. And, are
exporting to Europe, Middle East, Australia, etc. However, “Export Potential can grow if the government helps more enthusiastically” hopes Mr. Aggarwal. Instead, growth rate of such manufacturers has been found to be 30 per cent, Profile of Loknayak Bhavan Shopping Complex: is located beside the Khan Market near the hotel Taj Mansingh, in Central  Delhi. The complex, exclusively, specializes in domestic and commercial lighting fixtures. The buyers has the opportunity of selecting] their requirement from the large range of fixtures displayed by nearly 20 well known manufacturers with established manufacturing facilities. “This in effect means”, says Mr. Govardant Rohra of Mr. Light and the Vice President, Loknayak Shopkeeper’s Association, “that these showrooms are offering economical ‘factory prices’ in the heart of Delhi.”

With more and more manufacturers are joining the complex vis-a-vis the association, the lighting complex in the Loknayak Bhavan is reputed to be the largest lighting market in India. The showrooms are specialized in chandeliers, brass fixtures, designer fluorescents or commercial lightings. Other products are wall brackets, spot lights, etc. For general information, various chandeliers’ cost range from Rs. 500 to Rs. 5000 and wall brackets from Rs. 100 to Rs. 1000, to name a few.

In addition, the customer can order special designs and can also have their existing fixtures repaired.

Apart from the exclusively specialized light shops, the Loknayak Bhavan shopping complex is also equipped with other, as many as 20, shops of men’s and women’s fashion wear, and the Upper Class leather goods, beauty parlous, travel & tours. etcetra, etcetra.