A revolution is underway in India's trainer industry
While popular among Indian shoppers looking for a stylish bargain, other countries have long-complained about the losses caused.
Zen Barefoot
Meanwhile, a host of new Indian trainer-makers are springing up, to serve India's growing middle class.
Sabhib Agrawal is trying to get those buyers interested in barefoot footwear - shoes which, their makers say, are healthy for the foot as they encourage natural, or barefoot, movement.
Mr Agrawal says his company, Zen Barefoot, is unusual as much of the Indian footwear industry is not very innovative.
"There are very few people who are ready to take time and invest in new technologies here. Indian manufacturing is a very profit- first market, ROI [return on investment] driven.
"And in a lot of cases, even the government is not ready to enable these industries through grants or tax relief, which makes it quite difficult."
Comet is one Indian firm looking to innovate.
It claims to be the first homegrown trainer brand that owns the whole production process, from design to manufacturing.
"This level of control allows us to experiment with materials, introduce innovative silhouettes, and continuously refine comfort and fit based on real feedback," says founder Utkarsh Gupta.
He says the Comet shoes are adapted to India's climate and roads.
"Most homegrown brands rely on off-the-shelf soles from the market, but when we started Comet, we realized that these were lacking in quality, durability, and grip," he says.
Change is coming to the footwear sector he says. "The shift to high value is now happening."
"Many high value brands need to move their manufacturing to India. In 3-5 years, we should have a robust ecosystem to compete in the international sneaker market," he adds.
Comet
Back in Agra, Ashok hopes that the unorganised sector is not neglected amid the growth of India's footwear industry.
"The government should give us accreditation and certificates so our factories don't close down. Once we too are included in the organised sector no one can beat India in the shoe manufacturing industry."
But Mr Sharma says change is inevitable.
"The market is definitely going to shift. We'll see the bigger players getting bigger - they have the money to adapt quickly.
"But I don't think the small guys will disappear completely. The smart ones will find their niche."
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