Potters pass hard days as blockade hinders sale

Huge quantity of earthenware lies piled up at a potters house at Paalpara of Mulgram village under Pirojpur Sadar upazila. Sale of the item in the area, inhabited by potters community locally known as Paal, sees drastic fall as wholesalers from other districts cannot go there due to the countrywide blockade enforced by BNP-led 20-party alliance since January 6. PHOTO: STAR

The non-stop countrywide blockade and frequent hartals enforced by BNP-led 20-party alliance brings added sufferings to the potter community, already hard-pressed due to decline in the demand of earthenware. 

“Usually this time of the year sees good sale of earthen materials but now the sale of our products has drastically fallen as wholesalers can hardly come to us due to countrywide transport problem for over a month,” said Gobindo Paal, 70, of Paalpara at Mulgram village under Pirojpur Sadar upazila.

“In late 2013 and early 2014, we faced similar problems due to political unrest,” said Gourango Paal, 64, another potter of the area.

Sale of earthenware sees gradual decline due to popular use of plastic, silver, and iron made household articles as well as electronic devices, said potters, adding that the ongoing blockade and hartal has added to their sufferings.

Over 500 families related with the pottery at Mulgram village are passing days amid anxiety as wholesalers from different areas like Khulna, Jessore, Bagerhat and other places dare not come to the area due to countrywide political unrest.

Visiting Mulgram last week, this correspondent found men and women busy in making their products including earthen jars, cake making dices, cooking pots, lids and toys. 

“We have continued making our goods but the sale has fallen due to lack of buyers. Now it is difficult to earn Tk 100 a day from this profession," said Shankar Paal, 35, of Paalpara at Mulgram.