From our Correspondent
DIMORIA, Oct 29: A raid against Chinese lights and crackers led by Sopur Revenue Circle Officer Dhrubajyoti Hazarika, together with the police, today yielded goods worth Rs 20,000 at Sopur. Hazarika cautioned all the shops in the area not to sell any Chinese goods.
Meanwhile, a team of police led by East Kamrup DSP Lu Sonowal busted a gambling den at Lahorighat under Khetri police station last night.
Meanwhile, the six potters’ families in the Malaybari area heaved a sigh of relief this year with the ban on Chinese goods, including potters’ products. During this Kali Puja they are able to earn as their earthen lamps found takers among the Diwali revelers.
These six families were working hard to make their ends meet through pottery, a traditiol art that is on the verge of extinction in the State. As if to cap it all, Chinese goods glutted the market in Assam and elsewhere in the country. However, with the latest ban on all Chinese goods smiles seem to have etched on their faces.
Bibha Paul, a member from a potter family at Malaybari, said: “Pottery is our age-old trade. However, in the tough competition from Chinese products, we were out from the market. We have a harrowing time to make ends meet, and give our children education. However, the latest ban on Chinese goods has made us profitable to an extent. I appeal to the State government to announce schemes that may include us also so that we can also give proper education to our children. We are deprived of any assistance from the government. If the government provides us facilities, we can also make progress. Now I have to work door-to-door to eke out our living.”
Promod Kar, another potter, said: “The ban on Chinese goods has brought about awareness among the people who are on the lookout of locally-made earthen lamps, the essence of our civilization. In fact, the ban on Chinese products is a step towards the revival of our civilization.”