VADODARA, Nov 24: If you thought playing with soft toys was only the privilege of children of the elite, then think twice. For the two larris selling soft toys on the University Road are doing a roaring business.In an age when `seconds' material attracts a cross section of the society, it hardly matters if the toys don't have the best of finishing, as long as they are cheap.Small in size but these cute and cuddly teddy bears, dogs, horses, birds, monkeys and host of other creatures have caught the imagination of at least those who frequently pass through this road.For many the larris have come as substitutes for toy galleries where prices are on the higher side. ``These are rejected toys and come from New Delhi,'' is all the seller, Samir Khan of Ahmedabad, has to say. Samir and Anwar Pathan come twice or thrice every week from Ahmedabad to steal the hearts of the very young and the young and keep shuttling between Fine Arts Faculty, near Vikram Baug in Pratapganj, Home Science Faculty and the M S University pavilion.Pick up any toy for Rs 40 or Rs 60. The prices depend upon the toys' size. ``One person near Advance Cinema in Ahmedabad gets the toys from New Delhi and engages us for selling,'' Anwar says, adding that each of them get Rs 80 per day for the job and boarding expenses.Around 25-odd soft toys are sold every day. Why is it that these toys are becoming popular? Anwar has no answer, but says it is for the customers to answer. He, however, points out that the toys are more popular among university girls.According to him, all the toys have some defects. While some are not stitched thoroughly, in others the ears or noses are not fitted properly. Some of the colour would have also faded due to exposure to rains.So what if the toys are defective these are still cheaper than those available in the shops, says Seema Rawat, an MSU student. ``We like to keep soft toys with us,'' she says. Her friend Anamika Konwar says, she would have purchased a soft toy had the larriwala reduced the rate.Asked why they don't go in the city to sell, Anwar says it is difficult to escape the eyes of the traffic police, who, he claims have even asked them to move out from their present location.Next time when you visit the University Road and don't find the larriwalas or ramakdawala as you may call them, try the next day for the sellers may have gone to Ahmedabad to get `fresh' stock!And when you purchase one, don't forget to wash it to clean the dirt before playing with it.
