Women earn income through pottery skills

By Tilachan Pandey,Tamghas, Sept. 26: Ujjyala Kumal from Amarpur, Ishma Rural Municipality-6, has shared that she no longer depends on others for her minor expenses, thanks to her thriving business of making clay utensils. 

Ujjyala mentioned that she became self-reliant by learning pottery skills at a time when her community's traditional clay-making occupation was in crisis.She revealed that she has mastered the art of crafting 15 different types of pottery, including Buddha statues, cups, piggy banks, and various utensils, and has now established her own business. 

Like Ujjyala, Bishnu Kumal from the same village is also earning a living through clay pottery. Bishnu stated that this venture has provided them with a source of income, allowing them to live an independent life.

In an effort to boost the income of the Kumal community, the Department of Cottage and Small Industries, in coordination with Ishma Rural Municipality, has trained 16 individuals, including 14 women and two men, in pottery making over the course of a month.

To help integrate these skills with modern technology, the department has also provided seven pottery machines, a mud-shoveling machine, and a painting table. According to the department, this training has been offered to both older and younger generations, ensuring the transfer of skills associated with their traditional occupation.

In addition to pottery, the office has recently provided training in making handicrafts from Himalayan nettle and bamboo, as well as workshops on doll-making, cushion-making, and beauty parlour skills in various locations across the district.  The office believes that by using locally available materials, these initiatives will help replace plastic products and guide the locals towards self-sufficiency.