Joypurhat blacksmiths live in hardship
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Our Correspondent
JOYPURHAT, July 15: Blacksmiths in the district are passing their days in acute economic hardships with the slump in their business. Already many of them have left their traditional profession due to the dwindling income.
Aidul Mondol (50), a blacksmith of Jamalganj Bazar under Sadar Upazila in the district, said, "We are passing our days with manifold problems. Once we had sufficient money to get by, but these days we can hardly survive on the reduced income. Also, there is no government patronage to develop this trade, he said. He called on the proper authorities to provide them with interest-free bank loan to enhance their business.
Pabitra Mondol (40), another blacksmith of the same area, said, "I will leave this trade because of the problems although this has been our main profession for three generations."
He explained that in the past they bought their raw materials for a far cheaper rate than today. This was echoed by most blacksmiths in the region.
Today, a maund of charcoal costs Tk 300 or thereabouts whereas a couple of years ago it was only Tk 50-60.
Today their main raw material-iron-costs between Tk 80-90 per kg. Three years ago it could be bought for Tk 30-40 per kg.
Miran Mondol (70), a blacksmith of Durgadaho Bazar in Sadar Upazila, said, "We make agricultural equipment and other household used goods, which are very strong and last a long time. Now, plastic made household items have almost captured the market."
JOYPURHAT, July 15: Blacksmiths in the district are passing their days in acute economic hardships with the slump in their business. Already many of them have left their traditional profession due to the dwindling income.
Aidul Mondol (50), a blacksmith of Jamalganj Bazar under Sadar Upazila in the district, said, "We are passing our days with manifold problems. Once we had sufficient money to get by, but these days we can hardly survive on the reduced income. Also, there is no government patronage to develop this trade, he said. He called on the proper authorities to provide them with interest-free bank loan to enhance their business.
Pabitra Mondol (40), another blacksmith of the same area, said, "I will leave this trade because of the problems although this has been our main profession for three generations."
He explained that in the past they bought their raw materials for a far cheaper rate than today. This was echoed by most blacksmiths in the region.
Today, a maund of charcoal costs Tk 300 or thereabouts whereas a couple of years ago it was only Tk 50-60.
Today their main raw material-iron-costs between Tk 80-90 per kg. Three years ago it could be bought for Tk 30-40 per kg.
Miran Mondol (70), a blacksmith of Durgadaho Bazar in Sadar Upazila, said, "We make agricultural equipment and other household used goods, which are very strong and last a long time. Now, plastic made household items have almost captured the market."