Weaving industry in deplorable state
Friday, 26 October 2007
Our Correspondent
SIRAJGANJ, Oct 25: The traditional weaving industry is facing extinction in the two northern district, Sirajganj and Pabna. Owners of the traditional spinning wheel are no longer able to continue with their indigenous craft, sources said.
During their hey days more than 6500 women used to earn their livelihood by spinning yarn with the traditional 'charka' (wheel) but their number has now come down to around 400. Most of the women used to produce yarn on contractual basis and earned over Tk. 2850- Tk. 3075 per month. Hundreds of people earned their living by engaging themselves in this industry. For ages they had been dependent on these traditional spinning units. Most of those women are without work today. Now the age-old profession is no more the main source of their income because imported yarns and cloths have flooded the local markets. Besides, modern textile mills established in the two districts produce more durable yarn.
Anowar (31), Sila (25) and Swety (20), the traditional weavers used to earn a sustainable income by spinning yarn. Now they cannot produce yarn in bulk due to lack of capital.
However, fortune seems to have smiled on the 'charka' operators because of a recent initiative taken by an NGO, ASA, which has started financing the traditional weaving industry. Many charka operators have been provided with loans on easy terms for reviving the lost glory of their profession. They are now earning considerable amounts by selling yarn in different markets of the two districts.
SIRAJGANJ, Oct 25: The traditional weaving industry is facing extinction in the two northern district, Sirajganj and Pabna. Owners of the traditional spinning wheel are no longer able to continue with their indigenous craft, sources said.
During their hey days more than 6500 women used to earn their livelihood by spinning yarn with the traditional 'charka' (wheel) but their number has now come down to around 400. Most of the women used to produce yarn on contractual basis and earned over Tk. 2850- Tk. 3075 per month. Hundreds of people earned their living by engaging themselves in this industry. For ages they had been dependent on these traditional spinning units. Most of those women are without work today. Now the age-old profession is no more the main source of their income because imported yarns and cloths have flooded the local markets. Besides, modern textile mills established in the two districts produce more durable yarn.
Anowar (31), Sila (25) and Swety (20), the traditional weavers used to earn a sustainable income by spinning yarn. Now they cannot produce yarn in bulk due to lack of capital.
However, fortune seems to have smiled on the 'charka' operators because of a recent initiative taken by an NGO, ASA, which has started financing the traditional weaving industry. Many charka operators have been provided with loans on easy terms for reviving the lost glory of their profession. They are now earning considerable amounts by selling yarn in different markets of the two districts.