NALBARI, July 24 - As the age-old traditional japi-making craft of Nalbari district is gasping for breath, the artisans involved in the craft have called upon the government to take adequate steps for its survival.
Addressing a press conference at Tilana Yubak Sangha recently, the poor artisans expressed their resentment against the government�s alleged inaction for the survival of this traditional craft.
Jitendra Nath Kalita, president of Tilana Gaon Unnayan Samiti alleged that while the government and the Nalbari district administration is about to celebrate International Japi Festival at Nalbari next year in order to promote the japi-making craft in the international circuit, at the same time the government is not interested in redressing the grievances of the japi-making artisans.
Kalita demanded the government to take some positive steps for the development of the traditional craft and its artisans before the celebration of the International Japi Festival. He also read out a character of demands prepared by the Tilana Yubak Sangha.
The demands include identification of true artisans of japi craft, arrangement of raw material, exploring prospective markets for japi craft, adequate steps for mechanisation, provision of adequate financial assistance to japi artisans, to arrange skill development programmes, construction of common facility centres and government patronage, among others.
Speaking at the press meet, senior artisans like Bhupen Kalita, Ashwini Baishya, Anil Kalita, Rashmi Kalita and Bhadreswari Das spoke about their pitiable condition while trying to maintain their families. They called upon the government to arrange pension for the japi artisans.
Earlier, Dharanidhar Tamuli, president of Tilana Yubak Sangha welcomed the mediapersons with phulam gamusas.
