While most small artisans are losing out under the impact of liberalisation, privatisation, and globalisation (LPG) policies pursued vigorously by successive governments, an artisan couple here with their traditional skills, are able to lead a dignified life with the handicrafts they are creating.
The duo spend 15 days in a month in making these products with attractive designs and spend the rest of the month selling them in niche markets on their own along side machine-made plastic products that are flooding the market.
“We even go as far as Pune, Nagpur, Mumbai and Goa on trucks to get premium prices for our products made with dedication,” says Subbaiah while looking for customers near the busy Church Centre here. “We have our own loyal customers who are particular in shunning polluting plastic,” he adds. “We get maximum reward for our toil during the festival seasons including Dasara and Deepavali,” says his wife Lakshmi.
“Even under adverse conditions, our forefathers have been able to make a decent living in their village. But we cannot eke out a living like them any longer if we stay put in our village like them,” reasons the couple, who hail from Kovur in neighbouring Nellore district. “Our main problem is getting raw material and cash flow for our business,” adds the couple which makes this attractive products from wild Palm tree. “We will be grateful if the government arranges soft loan to us to improve our business,” they add.
