As sales dry up, Kotpad weavers look to govt for financial relief
Koraput: Thousands of weavers from the Mirigan community living in Koraput’s Kotpad block are in distress with no takers for the famous Kotpad fabric and garments during the lockdown.
“Our business has comes to a standstill. Though in the initial days we somehow managed, now it is unbearable. Thousands of people directly or indirectly depending on the profession are suffering without any business,” said Prahalad Mahanto, president of Kotpad Weavers’ Cooperative Society. (KWCS).
According to Mahanto, most of their products are exported to big cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Mumbai and Bhubaneswar.
Now the lockdown has completely paralysed their economy.
“Besides, we are facing difficulty in getting dyes that are mostly found in forests due to restriction on individual movement and public transport,” said Mahanto.
The weavers prepare the dyes from naturally available items like castor oil, iron dust, ash, cow dung and the root of Aal plant. Usually colours like coffee, black and maroon are derived.
“We do not use artificial dyes available in the market. Our natural dyes are long-lasting and do not run or fade after several washes,” said Gobardhan Panika, a weaver of the community and a Padma Shri awardee.
Apart from exporting the products, the community depends on local fairs organised by district administrations. “The state government should take steps to ensure marketing of our products and announce a financial package for us,” said Mahanto.