COVID-19 Restrictions Leave Odisha Brass Artisans High And Dry

Jajpur/Rayagada: The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have hit the small scale traders and artisans across the State hard. With the restrictions are still in force and no other source of income, the brass artisans in Jajpur and Rayagada districts are staring at an uncertain future.

Even though the government has relaxed the lockdown guidelines, the artisans in the districts are failing to send their artifacts to the markets. Moreover, with no buyers to their products, the craftsmen are struggling to manage the ends meet.

Over 70 families in Laxmi Nagar area in Jajpur district make brass articles and sale them to earn their livelihood. However, the business has come to a standstill due to the pandemic. With sale of brass items witnessing a sharp slump, the artisans are reeling under the COVID-19 wave.

“Due to restrictions, we are failing to send our brass articles to the market. The pandemic has made us financially very weak,” said Akhaya Sahoo, an artisan.

Similarly, the brass artisans in Rayagada district are bearing the same suffering. Even though the artifacts made by the artists of Jhigidi village in Bisamkatak is popular worldwide, these craftsmen are now finding it difficult to manage food for their survival.

“With no sale due to the pandemic, we are struggling to manage two times food for our survival. The COVID-19 crisis has made our life miserable,” said Sudei Mandika, a brass artisan.

When OTV brought the plight of the artisans to the notice of Pramod Kumar Behera, Rayagada Collector, he said, “We will discuss with the concerned authorities and take necessary steps so that the artisans can sell their product easily. Moreover, we will also consider other aspects of their rehabilitation.”

(Edited By Ramakanta Biswas)

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