Traditional occupations, which enriched diversity and contributed to the rural economy, are slowly making a quiet exit from villages.
Seventy-year-old Pebboju Upendra Chary is the only ironsmith in Labarthy village of Wardhannapet mandal still carrying out the occupation. His sons have migrated to nearby towns, and after him there would be no one to carry on the same. He has been making tools for toddy tappers, carpenters, and farmers since he was very young.
“This profession is no longer remunerative. Since I am into the trade, it has become an avocation and vocation for me,” Mr. Chary said.
Mittapalli Ramesh, who offers nature cure services, said there were no potters in the village now. Similarly, there were only a few carpenters and toddy tappers left. “Many prefer to go to town and work as security guards and house maids or take up other jobs that earn them daily wages,” he said.
Mr. Ramesh said his services are no longer sought after and he was trying to look for employment to make ends meet.
Changing times and online companies have changed the ways and means of life even in rural areas. Many get commodities delivered to their doorstep and hence local services were not being patronised as was the case in the past.
Noted littérateur and head of the department of English, Kakatiya University, K. Damodar Rao said time has made life easy for the masses, even in remote areas. However, changing social fabric was not desirable altogether.
There are not many goldsmiths lefts in villages now, thanks to almost all branded stores making their way into Warangal district headquarters. Many small goldsmiths have been thrown out of employment.
Migration of labour from other States has also threatened livelihood of locals. A large number of labourers from Odisha and Bihar could be seen working all over, even in remote Mahabubabad district, at brick kilns.
