Lockdown after-effects: Handloom weavers struggle to make ends meet

Berhampur: Though the Covid-19 induced lockdown has been lifted in the country, the after- effects of the 5-month long curbs are still palpable. This is particularly for those engaged in small business or skilled enterprise, like artisans and skilled workers. In fact, they are struggling to adjust to the “new normal”.

Though the country is inching its way towards normalcy, the situation in the Ganesh Nagar area of Berhampur is far from being normal. Here, the weavers who would sell “Patta” sarees worth lakhs of rupees every month before the clamping of the lockdown are struggling to earn even a decent amount these days. Products worth more than Rs 80 lakh are still piling up in their households with no one coming forward to buy those.

year with the beginning of the wedding and festive seasons, people from across the state, and even outside, would throng Berhampur to buy the Patta sarees as the silk sarees are the preferred attire during the festivities. However, due to the regulations imposed and difficulty in transport, there has been no business so far, leaving the weavers losing hopes for a turnaround of their fate.

Detailing the difficulties faced by the weaving community, a local said, “In neighbouring Andhra Pradesh the government has extended support to the weavers. They are paying Rs 10,000 compensation each of the families of the weavers to tide over the present shortfall in business. However, we haven’t received any support from the government so far.”

Even though the Odisha government had earlier promised to extend relief to small and skilled enterprises, the weavers feel outraged that they were not included in the list of beneficiaries.
If the situation continues, many weavers and local traders will have to give up their ancestral profession and look for some other profession, he said. This might lead to a slow death of the indigenous silk saree weaving industry and loss of an ancient skill as well.

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