Other States - Orissa   

Plastic to their rescue

BERHAMPUR: Hundreds of women of the city have got employment opportunity due to increased demand for garlands of plastic flowers which have started to replace original flower garlands as decorative pieces. Their employment scope has increased as garlands prepared in the city have found market outside the State.

The plastic flower garlands being sold in Kolkata and Vizag may have been manufactured in Berhampur, say the plastic garland traders like Tarini Gouda of Chandan Store. Since past few years the plastic flower traders outside the State have started to outsource making of plastic flower garlands to units in Berhampur. It has occurred due to low labour cost in the city.

According to Mr Gouda, they procure the raw materials from Kolkata, Vijaywada, Mumbai etc. Raw materials include varieties of decorative beads, colourful plastic flowers and other decorative materials. They say these decorative flowers are manufactured in China and reach them through the hands of several traders. After getting the raw materials it is time for Mr Gouda or his partner P.Yogeswar Rao to design prototype of new attractive garlands. Then they get in touch with their network of women groups in the city to produce these garlands on a large scale.

These women are mostly from economically backward section, who are able to earn something by preparing these garlands at home. Housewives, school and college girls use their free time in the morning and afternoon to make these garlands.

“It all operates through trust as we do not keep any security deposit to give raw material to the women," said Mr Rao.

This season starts much before the festive season beginning with Ganesh Puja and peaks during Dusshera. At present more than 800 women are employed in plastic flower garland making in the city.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Unscrupulous traders alter broiler eggs to make money
28 institutions may be blacklisted
Devotees bid adieu to the goddess
Spreading awareness
A trend that is on its way out
Catholic youths to discuss quota
Berhampur weavers worried
Alok Mela inaugurated
Train services disrupted
War for advertising space in capital
ECoR release on berth availability
Plastic to their rescue

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu