BPP Trustee's Election    Invitation to Fight Unitedly.

BPP Matter Hearing  At     Charity Commissioners     Office

Poll Khol & Wapiz Wimps

WAPIZ Writes To BPP

In the Wonderland Of     Investments

Racing





Cinema First

Disclaimer

Are We Indians a race of petty     and jealous people?

Grand National Conference and     Awards of INFLUX GROUP

Eye And Care You

Firoza Punthakey Mistree     Follows Suit.

Manufactured Sandalwood

Jamshed S. Wadia a.k.a.     Dinshaw Mehta(?) Writes

M.E. (CIVIL) (STRUCT); P.G.D.C.M.; M.I.E .

Anybody reading the title of this article will feel that there is a mistake, as sandalwood is an agricultural product and cannot be manufactured. In fact most of our Parsis/Iranis are at present buying "MANUFACTURED SANDALWOOD" which is delivered at their doorstep in the form of "Packets" by unscrupulous persons (carrying large bags meant for carrying sports gear), who claim to be selling best quality sandalwood at the cheapest price. These salesmen classify buyers into two categories as (a) retail buyers and (b) customers who buy in bulk, whose requirements are specially taken care of by a young tall man who is an extremely sweet talker and is able to gain confidence of such customers.

WHAT IS MANUFACTURED SANDALWOOD

Manufacturing of sandalwood starts by using pencil like rounded sticks of ordinary firewood available in Null Bazaar, Mumbai at a nominal price of about Rs.80 per Kg. These sticks have density lower than that of Malbari/Tanzanian sandalwood and are pale cream in colour. These sticks are first dipped in Black Tea concoction to give it a sandalwood like colour. These sticks are then dried and packed in plastic bags and sprayed with diluted Malbari/Tanzanian Sandalwood oil/Attar to give fragrance. The plastic bag, retains the fragrance and induces the buyer to purchase the "Packet' thinking that they are actually buying good quality sandalwood at a price much cheaper than the price at which reputed shopkeepers sell. Very recebtly, instead of the pale ordinary firewood sticks these persons have started using sticks made out of wood discarded from old buildings, as it has colour similar to that of Malbari Sandalwood and can even deceive experts.

Lately, Tanzanian Government has imposed restrictions on export of Sandalwood, hence, a new source of sandalwood has emerged. Indonesian samples have been received and import of Indonesian sandalwood on commercial basis would follow. Taking advantage of this information, "opportunist" persons have already started selling "Manufactured Indonesian sandalwood".

Thus, not only Malbari and Tanzanian but also Indonesian sandalwood is regularly "manufactured" in a godown located in central Mumbai and is regularly sold in mumbai and other major and minor cities of Maharashtra and Gujarat

PRICING OF "MANUFACTURED SANDALWOOD":

In case of retail buyers the salesmen rings the doorbell and after judging the decor of the buyer's house, quote a price ranging between Rs. 300 to Rs. 700 per Kg.

If a retail buyer asks for a better variety then, "Packets" are given from another bag at a price ranging from Rs 2000 to 2500 per Kg. which would actually be the same "manufactured sandalwood" as shown earlier or smuggled immature sandalwood called "Navajilla". More details about "Navajilla" follows in the next article.

In case of customers who buy in bulk, the above techniques are adopted and further they are offered "Indonesian" sandalwood at a price ranging from Rs.3500 to Rs 4000 per Kg. Since, Indonesian sandalwood for sale has not yet landed in India, it will be prudent for buyers to keep such cheats at an arms length.

One of my very good family friends turned away one such salesman saying that they only buy sandalwood from reputed shops like Dadabhoy Motabhoy Sukhadwalla. The immediate response from the salesman was that they do supply "Peria" and "Machi" to such shops which is a blatant lie.

HOW TO IDENTIFY "MANUFACTURED SANDALWOOD".

Obviously, buyers will now be interested in knowing how to identify "manufactured sandalwood". Kindly adopt the following procedure to ensure that you are not cheated.

With a sharp penknife/ knife shave the so called sandalwood stick to remove the upper cover and if the interior is of a lighter colour and also the density of the wood is lower as compared to that of Malbari/Tanzanian sandalwood then, it is "manufactured sandalwood". Lately, as mentioned above, it is also found that dark coloured ordinary firewood is utilized to deceive and look like original sandalwood.

The fragrance in case of Malbari sandalwood is sweet and that of Tanzanian sandalwood is bitter but both have a permanent pleasing fragrance. In case of "manufactured sandalwood" the fragrance will be strong and 'Attar' like and will sting your nose.

Remove a few sticks from the 'Packet' and keep them exposed on a table or shelf for about a week. If the fragrance disappears then it is "manufactured sandalwood".

These characteristics of colour, density and fragrance should normally enable you to identify those cheats and their "manufactured sandalwood". If you are not able to do so then you can contact the author on mobile No. 09323064698.

Every time we pay a visit to PADSHAH SAHEB (Atashbehram or Agiary) our "KHOREH" is enriched. It is prudent to offer good quality sandalwood bought from reputed shops rather than offer "Manufactured Sandalwood" bought from cheats and defile our Holy Fires.

This article will be followed by another which will give details of the various types of sandalwood that are available around the world, their characteristics and [possibility of being imported to our Country.