Weaving Woes:

Every coin has two sides. The other side of the 'handloom coin' depicts a gloomy picture of the industry. Despite all the chimes and laurels that it is the second largest industry of the country, handloom sector is now considered as a 'sunset' industry due to modernization, mechanization, and sophistication of machineries. Some states like Kerala, Tamilnadu, Orissa, and Assam are well developed in this craft, whereas in many other states, it is confined to the needs of the household. This leaves the craftsmen in a dismal state of their livelihood. Wages of the craftsman have not increased during the past 15 years. This keeps them below the poverty line pushing them to a 'hand to mouth' existence. Buying of raw materials like dyes, yarns etc pose a problem. Increasing prices of primary materials like cotton, silk, jute are out of bound for the weavers. Indian Government has come up with some programmmes like modernization and upgradation, input support, employment generation programmes, market support etc. Many schemes are introduced to assist handloom craftsman and enable them to upgrade their skills.

Handloom exemplifies the richness and diversity of India, and is a part of its cultural heritage. Adequate measures should be taken, and the industry craftsman should be encouraged and their skills should be polished so as to keep consistency of the prevailing tradition.

References:

1)       http://www.tantuvi.com

2)       http://www.indiatogether.org

3)       http://www.hepcindia.com