Bandhapali (Bijepur): With chief minister Naveen Patnaik within the fray from the Bijepur meeting phase — vote casting in the second one section on Thursday — the numerically dominant weavers’ group within the constituency is hopeful of a better future.
Known for generating the standard hand-woven Sambalpuri saree, the weavers (who've the surname Meher) be expecting government patronage within the form of procurement of uncooked material, upgrade of generation, skill building, market-linkage and pension for veterans.
A shuttle to Bandhapali village — around 40 km away from the Bargarh district headquarters and residential to mostly weavers — is illuminating. Though women throughout Odisha take pleasure in dressed in the Sambalpuri saree, the weavers of Bandhapali are still mired in poverty.
“We see a ray of hope now that the manager minister is contesting from our constituency. We hope he will assist us get well marketplace linkage for our products and lead a better existence,” young weaver Krushna Meher said.
Krushna discovered the practice of weaving from his father, who died four years ago. His mother also passed on to the great beyond in 2018. After finishing intermediate (Plus II), he left research to pursue weaving from his thatched area. He earns a dwelling for himself and two of his siblings.
The 22-year-old said the profit he made was once not enough on account of the excessive value of uncooked fabrics.
“It takes 3 to four days to finish a sari. We promote for around Rs 2,000 in line with piece at a weekly marketplace. For each sari, we make investments around Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 in uncooked fabrics. The government should assist us reinforce our abilities and provide generation that can assist build up manufacturing,” said Bikash Meher, every other young weaver. The 18-year-old wants the manager minister to arrange a skill building centre in his constituency.
Due to loss of correct advertising and marketing facility, weavers from nearby villages are compelled to promote their products underneath the open sky at a roadside weekly marketplace at Balijori, around 12 km from Bargarh. Traders from Chhattisgarh and West Bengal purchase the products at throwaway prices. “We would have got a better value had there been correct advertising and marketing facility,” said Joshada Meher, a 63-year-old weaver.
Though all eyes are now on Bijepur, Joshada said she had not anything to do with politics. “We don’t care which celebration paperwork government or wins the seat. We need a better existence for ourselves,” she added. Many of the villagers alleged that the speed of uncooked fabrics had increased after the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax.
Bijepur is set for a high-profile battle with Congress having roping in former MLA Ripunath Seth and BJP fielding Sanat Gadtia, an area zamindar.
Known for generating the standard hand-woven Sambalpuri saree, the weavers (who've the surname Meher) be expecting government patronage within the form of procurement of uncooked material, upgrade of generation, skill building, market-linkage and pension for veterans.
A shuttle to Bandhapali village — around 40 km away from the Bargarh district headquarters and residential to mostly weavers — is illuminating. Though women throughout Odisha take pleasure in dressed in the Sambalpuri saree, the weavers of Bandhapali are still mired in poverty.
“We see a ray of hope now that the manager minister is contesting from our constituency. We hope he will assist us get well marketplace linkage for our products and lead a better existence,” young weaver Krushna Meher said.
Krushna discovered the practice of weaving from his father, who died four years ago. His mother also passed on to the great beyond in 2018. After finishing intermediate (Plus II), he left research to pursue weaving from his thatched area. He earns a dwelling for himself and two of his siblings.
The 22-year-old said the profit he made was once not enough on account of the excessive value of uncooked fabrics.
“It takes 3 to four days to finish a sari. We promote for around Rs 2,000 in line with piece at a weekly marketplace. For each sari, we make investments around Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 in uncooked fabrics. The government should assist us reinforce our abilities and provide generation that can assist build up manufacturing,” said Bikash Meher, every other young weaver. The 18-year-old wants the manager minister to arrange a skill building centre in his constituency.
Due to loss of correct advertising and marketing facility, weavers from nearby villages are compelled to promote their products underneath the open sky at a roadside weekly marketplace at Balijori, around 12 km from Bargarh. Traders from Chhattisgarh and West Bengal purchase the products at throwaway prices. “We would have got a better value had there been correct advertising and marketing facility,” said Joshada Meher, a 63-year-old weaver.
Though all eyes are now on Bijepur, Joshada said she had not anything to do with politics. “We don’t care which celebration paperwork government or wins the seat. We need a better existence for ourselves,” she added. Many of the villagers alleged that the speed of uncooked fabrics had increased after the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax.
Bijepur is set for a high-profile battle with Congress having roping in former MLA Ripunath Seth and BJP fielding Sanat Gadtia, an area zamindar.
Weavers bank on Naveen to spin a story of change
![Weavers bank on Naveen to spin a story of change]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
April 16, 2019
Rating:
