JOYPURHAT, Dec 02: As winter sets in across the northern districts, quilt makers are passing busy time to meet the demand of the district.
The traders from the region are taking preparation to export the quilt item across the country meeting local demand.
Meanwhile, hundreds of well-trained artisans including women, adolescent, aged and girls have been involved with the profession from the last week in full swing. They start their work from very early morning to late night.
The inmates of Gaibandha, Panchagarh, Nilphamary, Thakurgaon, Bogura, Joypurhat, Kurigram and Lalmonirhat have started purchasing quilts as the bone chilling cold is approaching fast.
Meteorological office predicts that bone chilling cold may hit the people of the northern districts this year. The lives of extreme poor people who are to come out to manage their livelihood have to suffer untold suffering due to cold.
Local sources said, over 5000 poor and marginal artisans including women, adolescent and divorcees are engaged in making mattress to meet the ardent demand this current season. The number of quilt makers is increasing rapidly across the region.
"I am adding extra income for my family members through the job," said a quilt maker Anjuman Araunder of Kalai upazila of Joypurhat district. "Every year, I engage myself with the job and earn additional money for my family." she added.
While visiting the spot this correspondent found the quilt makers are passing busy timer preparing quality quilts of different sizes.
Now, they are hoping for becoming self-reliant making quilt. The Arotder purchase the yarn, clothes and cotton and provide the artisans with the inputs. Then the artisans make the quality mattress and the Arotder sell to the customers and wholesalers.
Samsun Naher under Dupchanchia upazila in Bogura district said she works in Babul quilt workshop at Tk 4000 per month. She makes a handsome money from the very beginning of November to February, she added.
Wholesaler Azaher Uddin of Gaibandha district said he purchases the quilt from the Arotder and send them to different districts.
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