Traditional earthen lamps or diyas used in decorating buildings during Diwali have of late, been replaced with electric lights, mostly imported from China. They are not only inexpensive but less cumbersome to users as compared to diyas. They are causing a drain on our foreign exchange reserves but more importantly such lights are taking away livelihood of many artisans
and potters who wait for Diwali for the whole year to earn some money. The ever decreasing demand of diyas has pushed the potters towards joblessness and starvation. At the same time without realising we are also losing on some important traditional handicrafts. Many of us would miss the earthen wares and toys made of wood and mud, we would have played in the childhood.
But all seems to have not been lost. There are fine glimmers of hope in certain quarters. The District Collector of Kota (Rajasthan) Mr. OP Bunkar, has taken pains to promote diyas. With his efforts not only demand for earthen lamps had gone up but potters’ income this year has increased by three folds.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, DC (Kota) Mr. OP Bunkar talked about the steps he took to promote Diya in his district.
EXEMPTING THEM FROM TAXES
Generally, the potters don’t have permanent shops. They have nowhere but footpath to sit and sell their product. The local bodies ask them to show the required permission from the government and if they fail to present, they are fleeced by local administration and the police. Mr. Bunkar has exempted all the potters from these permission. “In Kota potters don’t need any permission. We have collaborated with local bodies and municipalities to make sure the potters don’t have to pay anything. They barely get any profits from selling their wares and extra pressure of permission only worsens their situation.”
INCREASING DEMAND
The district administration is also organizing ‘Deep Daan’ in Kishore Sagar lake. 21000 Diyas will be floated in the lake while 21000 diyas will be decorated on the boundaries of the lake. Mr. Bunkar said, “For this activity, the government is buying 50,000 Diya. This has also elevated the demand in the city. Even public is buying the Diya to participate in the event.”
LOTTERY SYSTEM
To help the potters, in one sub-division, the administration has come up with a lottery scheme. Sharing the details about the scheme Mr. Bunkar said, “For every 20 Diya the buyer will get a coupon. The prize will be given through lottery system. There are 10-12 prizes for the taking and the first prize is a refrigerator.”
All this is being done through public participation and motivation. The administration is also taking help of NGOs and other inistitute to promote this initiative. Mr Bunkar said that the all these efforts are done to promote local products and environment safety.
While disposal of dysfunctional electric lights is an environmental hazard, diyas disintegrate automatically in soil. This model can be replicated elsewhere as well saving the potters community and their handicrafts from extinction.
