PALPA: Kamala Rayamajhi of Chhahra in Rainadevi Chhahra Rural Municipality-4, was very excited when she started a shop in Silkhantol, Tansen five years ago to trade in “Dhaka” (traditional Nepali cloth).
But she is now very disappointed with the business slowing down due to non-arrival of tourists into district, due to the spread of the Coronavirus.
With the industry closed for a long time, the workers have become jobless. Krishna Bahadur Chhetri, who has been weaving “dhaka” cloth in Saraswati “Dhaka” textile industry of Tansen, said that Coronavirus has severely impacted textile production for a long time.
“Dhaka is declining not only in production but also in trade,” he said.
Due to the lack of domestic and external tourists, there is a problem in finding market for local goods including “Dhaka” and “Karuwa” in the district.
The business of Palpali Dhaka cloth has not been able to flourish in the last two years. “Palpali Dhaka” is being diversified to preserve the skill of “Dhaka” cloth produced from handicrafts and to sustain the business.
Manager of Madanpokhara Dhaka Shop Kamal Bhandari shared that the trade of “Dhaka” cloth was going very well in the district, until the pandemic struck.
“Dhaka” materials are bought as gifts. Tourists carry bags, hand purses, purses, coats and hats from “Dhaka”.
Since the “Dhaka” here is genuine and of high quality and has a distinct identity, people go in search of Palpali “Dhaka” cloth.
Manoj Poudel, secretary of the Palpali Dhaka Textile Association, said that there was no enthusiasm at the moment in “Dhaka”.
Ganeshman Maharjan of Tansen registered “Dhaka” Industry for the first time in 2015 BS at his home office. It is said that “Dhaka” cloth production has started here for the first time in the same industry.
His wife Purnamaya, who imported “Dhaka” cloth to Tansen, is still continuing the profession in “Dhaka”.
According to him, Maharjan went to Delhi in search of work at that time and started weaving cloth.
Later, he returned from India and started producing “Dhaka” cloth as an industry.
“The Dhaka industry started by my husband is now flourishing all over Palpa. I have seen many women inside and outside the district earning good income through the weaving of “Dhaka” cloth, production of readymade garments and marketing. I am happy that women from Dhaka are trying to become self-reliant,” Purnamaya said.
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