Women associated with an SHG from the Mana village near Badrinath embarked on an initiative to save the culture of the State in the form of prominently displaying the traditional caps of Uttarakhand at the stall it pitched. They say this is an imperative with the cap vanishing fast.
“We are pained, seeing the appeal of our culture declining fast. Many of the State’s people are being culturally swept off their feet as they tend to shun the traditional dress for the modern attire. This is unfortunate,” said Beena Badwal, a member of the SHG. “Fewer people nowadays want to wear the traditional cap and they are opting for the Himachali cap. This is, as they say, more fashionable. We encountered one during the fair who said that he would not go for such an old- fashioned cap that resembles a police cap. I scolded him, saying that making fun of one’s culture is unbecoming of one who belongs to the State,” said Manisha Badwal, another member of the SHG.
Things, however, proved disappointing with just two of the 10 caps kept there for sale having been sold.
However, another SHG from Almora which also kept the traditional caps for sale did better as half of the 20 caps were sold. But the members said they were not happy. Pushpa Tamta, member of the group, said things were frustrating. “Most of the people are not ready to don the cap, citing it turning old-fashioned. If the trend continues one wonders whether anything would be left of the culture that is surviving through ages,” she said.
Kantesh Uniyal, a resident of Sahastradhara Road, who was found buying the cap, said the heritage of the State could be trifled with at the peril of the collective welfare of the State. “It is my duty to do my mite to save it from extinction,” he added.