Hand embroidery artisans face survival crisis

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 3

Hand embroidery artisans are not expecting normalcy in their business anytime soon, especially when their art has already been taken over by machine work.

Although they have resumed work after relaxations in the lockdown, the artisans are still waiting for customers.

“We have to start our business from scratch after two-month curfew and lockdown,” said Mukesh Kumar, a hand embroidery shop owner in Sirki Banda Bazar, near Katra Dulo, in the walled city area.

“Hand embroidery is done especially on women garments worn on special occasions such as marriages and festivals. The Covid outbreak has forced many to postpone their functions. We can expect some improvement in the business only when the restrictions are completely lifted,” he said.

“We are open for two days – Tuesday and Friday – in a week as per the schedule allotted by the district administration in view of the pandemic. Nevertheless, customers don’t know about this. They don’t know when our shop is open and sometimes they return. Earlier, we used to work till late evenings, but now we work only for half day due to lesser work,” he rued.

He said most of their customers came from adjoining districts, including Batala, Qadian and the rural belt of Amritsar. Due to the coronavirus scare and restrictions in the plying of road transport, they were not coming as of now.

“Taking advantage of the situation we are going through, most customers seek discount and sometimes we, too, have to compromise on the rates,” he said.

Mukesh has resumed the work with two workers at present. Earlier, he had eight workers. He has provided masks and sanitisers to his staff. The remaining workers are doing work from home due to space constraint.

“It is indeed a tough time for all of us. We are taking all necessary precautions. However, if the situation continued for a couple of months, the survival is going to be difficult for sure,” he said.