Post News Network
Keonjhar, May 7: Silk sarees (matha bastras), which weavers of Fakirpur in this district used to weave with their deft hands and looms, were once much popular in various parts of the country and abroad. But this traditional vocation is gradually vanishing due to lack of government support.
Scores of weavers were solely dependent on this occupation over generations, but not finding it lucrative enough many have switched over to other professions with a majority of them migrating to other states in search of greener pastures.
The government may have implemented several welfare schemes for the weaver community, but the benefits of these schemes continue to elude them.
There was a time when over 200 weaver families of Fakirpur were engaged in this occupation and used to eke out a descent living by churning out fine silk sarees which were high in demand.
But things changed particularly after the 1999 Super Cyclone. The weavers suffered extensive losses as their houses and looms were damaged. Many weavers who used to run their business by taking loans from banks or other sources are neck deep in debt while their damages have not been compensated.
An elderly weaver recalled the heydays, saying, “Mathas were high in demand and were exported overseas. A private company had set up a textile mill here in 1972. The mill was providing livelihood to scores of weavers. But it was later shut down. Weavers had no way out, but to seek work in textile mills of Nepal, Surat, Bangalore, New Delhi and other places.
The government has allegedly not come forward to bail them out of this quagmire, many weavers lamented.
Rabindra Kumar Panda, a local intellectual, observed, “If the government does not turn its focus on alleviating the miserable condition of weavers, the traditional profession will soon become extinct. Many weaver families have migrated to other states in search of jobs. The government should do the needful for the poor weavers.”
However, a few weavers have managed to keep their traditional occupation alive. They have improved the quality of their products by giving a touch of modernity to traditional patterns. These sarees are said to be sold in various Pallishree Melas organised by the government.
Balaram Chain, another weaver of the village, said, “We have somehow managed to stick to the occupation by bringing raw material from Rampa, Nuapatana and Gopalpur areas. But the income is not sufficient in these times of price rise.”
Chain also said a weavers’ society set up in the village is lying closed while weavers fail to get yarns and cocoons. Lack of marketing facilities is another problem. After the super cyclone, the weavers have been left in a debt trap and are going through a harrowing time, he added. Chain also claimed that weavers have not been provided compensation for their losses.
Many weavers expressed their displeasure over the government ‘doing nothing’ to save them from such a crisis. They urged the government to make provision for loans, training and marketing facilities.
Anandapur sub-collector Maheswar Swain said the weavers are earning handsomely in other states by dint of their skills.
On the issue of compensation not having been paid to the weavers, Swain pleaded that he has no idea about it.
He stated that if the weavers come with complaints, their demands will be taken into consideration.
The sub-collector also
said steps are being taken to
secure their livelihood and incentivise them.