Coronavirus tatters handloom industry in Indian state

Record ID: 1631422

  • Title: Coronavirus tatters handloom industry in Indian state
  • Date: 9th August 2021
  • Summary: MADURAI, TAMIL NADU, INDIA (AUGUST 08, 2021) (ANI - NO USE INDIA) EXTERIOR OF HANDLOOM FACTORY SIGNBOARD VARIOUS OF WEAVERS WORKING ON HANDLOOMS THREADS MOVING ON LOOM VARIOUS OF WEAVERS WORKING (SOUNDBITE) (Tamil) OWNER OF HANDLOOM MANUFACTURING UNIT, SUBHASH CHANDRA, SAYING: "The handloom industry has been very badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Our last year's production is still piled up in our storerooms…It is a huge loss. We need the government's support because around 500 poor weavers are dependent upon this industry for their livelihood." VARIOUS OF WORKERS OPERATING HANDLOOMS (SOUNDBITE) (Tamil) WEAVER, LAXMI, SAYING: "I earn around 50 rupees per day…My leg is injured so, I work and earn money for my treatment and to sustain myself because I don't have any other skill." VARIOUS OF WEAVERS WORKING ON SPINNING WHEEL SPOOLS OF THREADS IN THE BOX VARIOUS OF WEAVERS ROTATING WHEELS
  • Embargoed: 23rd August 2021 12:28
  • Keywords: India Madurai Tamil Nadu affected cases coronavirus handloom health medicine textile weavers workers
  • Location: MADURAI, TAMIL NADU, INDIA
  • City: MADURAI, TAMIL NADU, INDIA
  • Country: India
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA001EPK4QQ7
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The handloom industry in India's southern Tamil Nadu state is facing a grave crisis as the production has dropped due to the coronavirus threat that has been looming large across the country for the past one-and-half years.
    Madurai town in the state is famous for its handwoven cotton and silk 'sarees'-an Indian attire for women.
    However, weavers and an owner of a small handloom unit said on Sunday (August 08) the industry has been in tatters for over a year due to the restrictions that were imposed to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Despite India easing lockdown, the handlooms factories are among the many businesses fighting for survival with no options to recoup their lost revenue.
    The workers of the already vulnerable industry are now being replaced with machines, including power looms, and have left a major chunk of the weavers to resort to farming, manual labour, and even begging.
  • Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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