Rope making artisans seek help from West Bengal Govt

Purulia (West Bengal), June 18 (ANI): Tribals engaged in the traditional rope making business here, are seeking assistance from the West Bengal government to get an get adequate price for their finished goods.

Rope making with the help of Babui grass is the only source of livelihood for those poor artisans.

The artisans are unable to access the market, thus selling their produce to middlemen who deliver to the main market. This leads to exploitation as the middlemen offer low prices them.

"If the government buys our products, it is possible that we might get appropriate rate of this rope. Many families depend on this babui rope and are engaged in the cultivation of babui grass because they have no other alternative to earn their livelihood," said Chakradhar Bagdi, a villager.

Owing to the decline of the rope making business locally, the villagers said that their income is not sufficient to sustain their livelihood.

"We cook once in a day and it is impossible to cook twice. How will you sustain your family and children? I am facing difficulties in meeting the needs of the family," said Malati Hansda, another villager.

'Babui' grass has multiple uses as it is largely used in making doormats and thatched roofs. (ANI)