Shital Paati weavers in problem

COOCH BEHAR, June 6: The Paati artisans of Cooch Behar district are facing a lot of constraints to market their product named Sital Paati (cool mat). NABARD expressed concern over the matter and expressed their eagerness to come forward for their help. Besides, District Industrial Centre (DIC) also declared launching of Cluster Development Programme costing more than one-crore for the benefit of the poor Paati artisans. During study it was revealed that new designs and attractive finishing of their products are necessary to catch the market. DIC is eager to arrange necessary training for the artisans in this respect.

DIC sources said a cluster development program is under process to cater four thousand paati artisans of Cooch Behar district in terms of marketing and designing and also to rescue them from the clutches of the brokers and middlemen. Sital Paati may have a good demand in the global market if designing of the product can be improved, DIC sources added. State cottage and small-scale industries minister Mr Manabendra Mukherjee had also declared launching of cluster plans for the poor Paati artisans during his visit to Cooch Behar.

Cultivation of Paati plants and weaving of Shital Paati (cool mat) is a renowned cottage industry of Cooch Behar district. More or less twelve thousand people are associated with this industry. In Cooch Behar-I block villages like Ghughumari, Dhaluabari, Gangaler Kuthi, Hawagari, Pushnadanga, Gheghirghat and Panigram are famous for manufacturing of Paati (mat). Baishguri, Pestarjhar, Nishiganj and some other villages are also known for this industry. In 1990 Ms Tagar Rani Dey of Ghughumari won National award for her Paati.

There are a number of varieties of Paati. Among these the Shital Paati is the famous and popular variety. It is still a must for many in scorching summer days. Mats made of synthetic fibres or plastic are cheaper but Shital Paati has its own connoisseurs. Who knows the comfort of this cool mat in summer days can shun even the call of air conditioners. It is more comfortable to them to lie down on the Shital Pati used as a bedspread than remain confining inside an air-conditioned room. The price range of Shital Pati spreads from Rs 50 to Rs 1500 or more according to its quality and craftsmanship.

Though the name of Shital Paati is known to many in India and abroad its commercial position is not very good at this moment. Lack of proper marketing infrastructure makes the situation worse. The artisans are too suffering from different problems. An old artisan said that weaving a mat needs labour of a family for at least two days but they get wage about Rs 50 or less. This is discouraging the artisans to continue in this trade.

A few locals at Ghughumari alleged that the condition of those artisans is worse who has no farmland to cultivate the Paati plants. Mr Sorosh Chanda, a local schoolteacher and also associated with the trade opined that the wage of artisans should be increased to save them otherwise it may be difficult to keep this age-old craft alive.

Ms Anjita Chanda, the newly elected local gram Panchayat member and also a Paati artisan, said lack of adequate advertisement and marketing policy is dragging this special type of mat backward. It may get a good market in the eastern countries if it can get the light of campaign. The mats made of plastic are not hygienic but the wide difference of price is pulling the natural Paati backward, she said.

Senior artisans believe well planned publicity could save this rich and traditional craft. The government should come forward to save this cottage industry and the thousands of people dependant on it. Poverty stricken Paati weavers should not be allowed to die from starvation, others moaned. []

PHOTO : A woman artisan weaves Shital Paati at Ghughumari in Cooch Behar.