Mass production of goods and services, dumping of cheap imported products and ignorance about the quality of local products has eroded much of our rich diversity which adversely affects the banking business
Over decades, the majority of cities, small towns and villages have lost their unique diversity which results into loss of large number of sustainable micro- economic activities.
Mass production of goods and services, dumping down of cheap imported products and abysmal ignorance about the quality of local products has eroded much of our rich diversity which adversely affects the banking business.
One can come across shopping malls selling plastic bags at rupees five to Rs 10 along with goods to customers. Mass production of plastic bags not only damages the environment but has also led to the disappearance of biodegradable, coir, jute, cloth and paper bags. In the 1970s, thousands of farmers in Kendrapara district of Odisha were producing jute which was used to make rope, bags, utility and decorative items. Today, jute cultivators have switched over to other jobs in the district. People who used to make jute items lost their jobs.
In the 90s, some entrepreneurs in Bhopal used to export a wide range of jute items. Biodegradable jute items always have demand world over.
A permanent ban on the use of plastic bags will help millions of coir, jute, cloth and paper bag producers to earn their livelihood. India is a treasure trove of bio-degradable materials which will help economy and banking in a drastic way.
Coconut and areca nut grow abundantly between Sakhigopal and Puri on a stretch covering 15 kilometres in Odisha. One can come across thick coconut jungle on this stretch of land that leads to Jagannath Puri, Konark and the golden sand beaches. Capable public representatives with knowledge, vision and human sensitivity can create sustainable job opportunities for people in this area which will ultimately help banking business. The bankers too have to go extra miles to promote crop diversity and biodegradable handicrafts in this region as people in Puri district have the skill to make wide range of handicrafts namely stone sculpture, coconut craft, coir craft, wooden mask, Odishi paintings on different surfaces, applique craft, sholapith craft craft and palm leaf carvings etc. Diversity in economic activities always keep the bank credit healthy.
Over decades Odisha had lost many edible plants, fruits and vegetable. Many aromatic rice varieties with huge domestic and export demand have disappeared. The fragrance of indigenous variety of Basmati rice was so good that when it was cooked, it spread over a 50-metre radius.
Many indigenous rice variety of Odisha with huge export potential have been lost.
Agriculture scientists, experienced farmers, public representatives and bankers should play an important role in protecting the rare indigenous crops in the state.
There is always a systematic and planned campaign to undermine the importance of indigenous crop varieties by some external agencies and their agents in India.
Reviving the weather resistant local vegetables, food grains and fruits is the biggest challenge before the state. Diversity generates surplus income which ultimately increases bank deposit. Bank deposits are used for lending business.
Though Central and State Government have launched a wide range of development schemes for the weavers, the import of cheap clothes and yarns from Bangladesh, Sri lanka and China always neutralises the effect of those development schemes.
Import of poor quality fabrics always damages the rich Indian handloom traditions. loss of skill and artistry among the weavers community leads to loss of demand in domestic and foreign market. Traders and middlemen in different forms leech innocent and illiterate weavers across the country. Bank credit flow to weavers will not pick up unless the consumers have direct access to the weavers’ home and the weavers are enthused to preserve the original grace and artistry on clothes.
Andhra Pradesh has witnessed the largest number of weavers’ suicide in the past two decades in the country. This has happened due to presence of middlemen, lack of transparency in handloom trade, supply of poor quality raw material to the weavers, loss of skill and artistry among the weavers due to low wage.
Many corrupt non-governmental organisations, traders and marketing agencies thrive on the hard work of the weavers.
In the process many priceless handicraft traditions got ruined. Young generation of weavers have switched over to other professions.
The majority of the young generation of weaver switch over to other professions or migrate to other states for jobs.
Handloom weavers of Andhra Pradesh make high value addition to silk clothes.
Every Indian district has one or two unique local products. While Jagannath Puri gives the mouth watering rasabali and kheera, the ancient city Cuttack offers you the tasty dahibara aludum. Pune offers the delicious puran poli while Mumbai serves pav-bhaji. Calcutta is famous for sweets and different varieties of curds. One can’t resist the temptation of eating Murugan idli and chatni in Chennai.
India still can preserve the unique diversity which can create surplus income and employment on sustainable basis. All these activities ultimately helps banks design different credit products.
(The writer is a freelance commentator)
