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Across the country

The woe of weavers of the sheetal pati

by Rajat Kanti Goswarrti
MAULVI BAZAR, May 27: Change of fashion and technique and scarcity of raw materials have caused the age did local handlcrafis to face a most demanding challenge. As a result craftsmen, carrying on the skills and traditions of centuries are gradually being eliminated.
Munshibazar. Daserbazar and Bangtabazar under Rajna car and Baralekha Upazilas of Maulvl Bazar district were once famous for Sheetal Pali (cane made mat) used for sleeping. It is very comfortable In the days of scorching heat. But with production shortage hitting 'Murta' cane, the raw-material. the mat weaver are sitting idle as they have no other avocation to depend on for their livelihood. This has resulted in widespread unemployment of the once busy pati makers.
Manufacturers live in groups
The manufacturer families in those areas live in groups in different villages. Now they have become despaired of their profession as they have no working capital al hand. They can’t ensure any loan from banks and they can t afford to buy raw-materials at high price
Some mat weavers have (old The Dully Star that there arc
Industrial concerns especially the BSCIC and some comnicr cial banks to look after cottage Industries, but until now no major step or Initiative has been taken in this regard by any of those bodies or they can't avail of any such scope. If
Some craftsmen of Sheetal Pati at Gobtndapur and Bhagir pur villages under Baralekha Upaztla and Dhulijura. Nidon pur village under Rajnagar Upazlia, which was once famous for Murta cane' told this correspondent that a piece of Sheetal Pall Is being sold al Taka IOO to Taka 1800. de pending on quality and design
Traders come from far flung areas
Traders and members of the public come to Mun shibazar. Daserbazar and Bunglabaznr from Tar flung areas of the country lo buy Sheetal Putt, on a common lai basis. The age old rush Is not there simply
These three wholesale centres supply Sheetal I'atlcs of many varieties lo meet the demand of comfort seekers who can't sleep without a 'Sheetal Pali stretched out on the ground or on the cots. But as the raw-materials arc becoming scarce day by day with the fall in growth of Murta-
Beth (cane) the future of this popular handicrafts Is bleak.
It is learnt from the craftsmen' that about 250 families of craftsmen will face financial crisis. If enough Murta canes were nol made available to them.
The production of Murta. in the area has been adversely affected by various problems. Informed sources said, fund shortage and lack of bank loans have aggravated the sufferings, of the cane growers. Finding on other alternative, they are to borrow money from money renders, at high rate of interest. As such money Murin’ growers arc being compelled lo leave ihclr ancestral profession.
Govt help needed
The dismal situation can radically change if government agencies come helping In the financing the growers and weavers and marketing the Item. The possibility of finding foreign markets, specially in the Middle East, Is always there. If government and private business can made ihclr way up there, the MUrla growers and Sheetal Pati craftsmen would hit a golden jackpot. It calls for a little initiative on the part of concerned govern-ment agencies such a BSCIC to saw nol only the craftsmen but also the glorious craft