"Clay items are considered auspicious during festivals. And every year, new diyas are purchased for pujas. This is when we make brisk business," said Rambharose Pandit, a potter in Jaleshwor. "The ongoing protests had made us worry. But, I did good business in the last one week," he added.Huge quantities of clay pots are being sold in local markets including Ramgopalpur, Samshi, Matihani, Aurahi, Bardibaas, Pipara and Raghunathpur along with Jaleshwar, the district headquarters, among others. "Diya, Ghaito, Dhakana etc are demanded by people. All these items are deemed necessary for puja," explained Shatrudhan Pandit, a potter from Ratwada.
People in Madhes, irrespective of their financial condition, celebrate the two festivals lavishly, noted Shatrudhan. That is the only time in a year when even poor people forget about their status and embrace life's beauty, he added. "Since the festivals mean a lot for us, we get prepared beforehand. Even poor class work hard and manage to celebrate," Satrudhan said.
Meanwhile, Rambharose said that the ongoing protests in Madhes have however prevented them from traveling far to sell their products. "In the local market the rate is low. It would be more profitable if we could sell our products by reaching out farther," he said.
It is hard to get long and short distance vehicles these days due to the agitation going on for three months now. Even if people are lucky enough to reserve seat in the buses, the journey is not risk free, due to the regular attack on public vehicles by the protestors. Mahottari is one of the most protest-hit districts.
Kripashwar Sah, president of FNCCI, Jaleshwor, stated that the transaction value of clay items during Dipawali and Chhat crosses around Rs one million in Mahottari district alone.
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