Market and money remain a problem for rural artisans. The anguish was expressed by artisans across the State participating in the ongoing Khadi and Saras Mahotsav at Morhabadi. Unfortunately, Rural Development department’s banner is not much fruitful to these talented villagers. Keshwanti Devi of Ranchi’s Namkom block, who has been associated with the department, said mere display in Khadi and Saras Mela at New Delhi and Ranchi never helps. She said, “We often fail to receive letter from DRDA. So, it becomes difficult for us to take part in Saras fair except the local ones. Moreover, in our area few stakeholders turn up to purchase our hand made jute and bamboo items.”
Baby Devi, a middle aged lady from Simdega involved in this small scale industry profession since 2001, finds hard to bear the transportation expenses to the weekly market ‘Haat’ in her village. “We hardly earn around Rs1500 a month. In such circumstances, it is not possible to sell our hand-made pickles, badi, Irsa roti and local breads,” Devi’s colleague Janmuni said. Pakur district’s Madhu Devi chose this stream as a source of women empowerment but the inability to return the loan amount is a trouble.
Devi heads a Self Help Group of around 10 women. She said, “Jharkhand State livelihood Promotion Society (JSlPS) provided us funds for producing home made items like Muri. Also, it gave us funds to set up a room for our business. Managing money for the remaining part is difficult as we earn Rs1000 in three days, which is not enough to contribute in the bank loan taken for this business.”
Jitu Bedia, a young man hailing from Hundru Falls remains jobless for around nine months of the year. He makes flowers out of bamboo and wood pieces. Asked the reason of his unemployment, he said, “Tourists visit the water falls from December to February. Only three months give us a brisk business time. Despite the support of State Government by bringing us in this fair, we fail to earn a handsome amount. As a result, I have to sit at home and assist my family in farming activities for the daily bread.”
There are more than 10 stalls in the fair. Each stall owner is undergoing some troubles. They hope that the Government will some or the other ways introduce new schemes through which they can get a regular financial benefit and lead a sustainable life.