Poor power supply hits toy industry

ERRATIC POWER supply has started taking its toll. The world famous traditional art of wood toy manufacturing in Varanasi has been hit hard. At least 200 families engaged in this cottage industry have left this ancestral art and opted to work elsewhere. Artisans involved in the making of wood toys in Kashmiriganj and Khojwa areas cannot even earn enough to pay for their meals. This is because there is only eight to nine hours of power supply to the city, insufficient to help boost this cottage industry and thereby affecting the artists? earnings.

ERRATIC POWER supply has started taking its toll.

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The world famous traditional art of wood toy manufacturing in Varanasi has been hit hard. At least 200 families engaged in this cottage industry have left this ancestral art and opted to work elsewhere.

Artisans involved in the making of wood toys in Kashmiriganj and Khojwa areas cannot even earn enough to pay for their meals. This is because there is only eight to nine hours of power supply to the city, insufficient to help boost this cottage industry and thereby affecting the artists’ earnings. An artisan who used to earn Rs 100 to 150 per day is hardly getting Rs 50 now. They are unable to take future orders or even supply for current orders due to erratic power.

Opting out of the trade, the artists have chosen to work as rickshaw pullers or vegetables vendors to feed their families. Some have even sold their houses to get money for their families. A variety of wood toys such as ‘jhunjhuna’, ‘charakhi gari’, ‘lattu’, flower pots, dolls and vermilion cases are some of the popular items sold across the world.

The low supply has also affected forex earning. Exported to countries like the US, Germany, Canada and Japan from Varanasi in large numbers, there is very little to be sent there now. These wooden toys are also sent to Haridwar, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Jagannathpuri and Chitrakoot. President of Varanasi Kashtha Kharad Khilauna Dastkari Samiti, Kanhaiya Lal Chauhan said the poor power supply had forced more than around 200 artisans to opt out of the trade. He added at least 1000 artisans were involved in this industry. 

Artisan Sheetla Prasad Singh said it had become difficult for them to earn for even a single meal as inconsistent power supply was playing the villain. He said he was worried if the situation continued like this, what would be the future of his family.