Jamatikra: Bibhar from Chhattisgarh came to this place in Bargarh district looking for work 50 years ago. Now he is 65 and stays here with his family.
During his younger days he used to go from village to village on a bicycle with a sewing machine on the carrier. Those days villagers used to wait for him to get their torn clothes mended. Though the earnings were not so good, it was not bad either.
Now as his body is not so strong his two sons are sharing the burden of maintaining the family, and his elder son Santosh Bibhar, (38), has now taken over his job.
After breakfast, Santosh sets out with the sewing machine given by his father. By the time he returns in the evening, he earns something between Rs 100 and Rs 200. Out of this Rs 150 goes for daily expenses.
When asked about government benefits, he said his family gets 20 kg rice and nothing else.
After learning tailoring from his father, Santosh had been in this business for 25 years. Over the years there were several occasions when he wished to buy a new sewing machine so that he could earn more.
“Are things under our control? There is nothing wrong in wishing for something better, but it is God who decides things,” Santosh said.
Despite skimping on expenses to buy a sewing machine he has not been able to raise Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 needed to buy a new sewing machine.
Santosh’s earnings take a hit during rainy season. During this period they have to borrow money from friends and relatives and repay it after rains.
While expenses keep increasing, his earnings are limited and sometimes take a dip. “The craze for readymade dresses is the last straw,” he said.
Santosh says his father is no longer able to work like he used to do. In order to earn something more he needs a house and a sewing machine.
“I am tired of making rounds of the panchayat and block offices for a house under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and a loan to buy a sewing machine,” he said.
PNN
