Recent statistics show ultra-poor potters of Bogra now self-reliant

BOGRA, Nov 19: A recent statistics show a good number ultra-poor potters community have become self-reliant preparing different sorts of earthen pots in Bogra district from last five decade.
According to the district potters' samity source, some 5,000 people engaged with the lucrative profession in all twelve upazilas of the district district directly or indirectly to manage the daily expenditure of family.
In a recent visit the correspondent of the FE found both male and female artisans of the potter area begin to make the soil mild soft mingling measure water separating foreign body if found. They make the muddy a pile for making the earthen pots by the ancestral hand machine with a big wheel. They keep the soil in the wheel and turning it rapidly.
Then they produce different shapes of pots. Later they burn the pots with deep heat fire at fixed big hearth. The colour of the pots according to the demand of the customers and make them ready to sell.
Meanwhile, some families of Dupchanchia, Dhunot, Sarikandi, Sonatola, Adamdighi, Kahaloo, Sibganj, Nandigram Sahazanpur and sadar upazilas of the region have already left the ancestral profession as they can't earn adequate money due to low demand of the earthen pots, DPO added.
"I have prepared minimum 80 raw pots for bearing curd everyday with the assistance of my family members," said artisan Shopon Kumar Paul, 30, under Shibganj upazila of the district. He also said, "I sell the burnt pots to the buyers with Tk 2 per pieces."
Potter Nittagopal Paul, 32, at Paulpara village under Dupchanchia municipality said, he makes earthen pots for cooking rice. He is to spend tk 200 each day for burning the pots as he is to purchase the wood with high price, he added.
"I wait for the earthen pots as the wholesalers visit the area every Friday of the months," said customer Halima Begum, 56, at Jhakor village under Adamdigi upazila of the district.
President of the potters Samity Ranjan Kumar Paul, 43, said, due to scarcity of adequate capital some potters have changed their profession. To survive the profession, the authority concern should come forward immediately, he added.

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