Gaya tilkut industry surviving, not thriving
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GAYA: Migration of large number of workers proficient in tilkut making, rising production cost and apparent government apathy has hit hard the nearly 200 years old tilkut industry of Gaya town. Tilkut, besides Vishnupad Temple and Renaissance Cultural Centre are regarded the city's icons, giving the place a distinct identity.
According to insiders, poaching by confectionery manufacturers of Kolkata and Patna has led to large-scale migration of skilled workers, putting at stake the survival of this industry at its birth place itself. Whether it be Kolkata, Patna or any other part of the country, local tilkuts are given the Gaya tag to make it acceptable to the buyers because tilkut and Gaya are like synonyms.
Nearly 400 families living at Ramna, Tekari Road, Morarpur K P Road and other localities of Gaya town earn their livelihood by making tilkut only. Seasonal income and dwindling profit margin make the going tough for tilkut-makers. Made of a mix of lintel, sugar/gur in the right proportions and heated at an optimum temperature in cold but dry weather, skilfully hammered and shaped like biscuits, the tilkut-making needs specialized skill found mainly in Gaya town.
According to Central Bihar Chamber of Commerce, tilkut should be given the cottage industry status to make it survive against all odds. Once it's granted a cottage industry status, tilkut-makers can avail priority sector loan facilities provided by the nationalized banks. As on date, capital-starved tilkut-makers have to borrow money at the market rate of interest.
Narrating the woes of the Gaya tilkut-makers, Lalji Prasad, who carries forward the family tradition of tilkut-making, said instead of declaring tilkut-making a cottage industry, the government has brought it under the purview of Food Safety Act requiring licence from the health department. One cannot get the licence made and renewed annually without greasing the officials' palm, he said.
Prasad also says that due to lack of finance, the tilkut-makers cannot engage in bulk and advanced purchase of items like lintel, sugar/gur. The wholesalers of these items charge arbitrary prices when the demand peaks up around Makar Sankranti. Sugar/Gur prices have more than doubled since the last season. This hike cannot be fully passed on to the consumer as it would affect the sale with the result that profit margins dip and the incentive to remain in the business loses charm. Moreover, the tilkut-makers have to purchase coal and kerosene on the black market as no arrangement is made to ensure the supply of these items at a reasonable price.
For several years now, the Gaya tilkut has been a regular feature at the International Trade Fair in Delhi and participants of the fair earn good money through tilkut stalls put up at the big ticket event.
But, the greatest and unnoticed threat to Gaya tilkut industry comes from the changing preferences of the young generation who are fast food fans with less liking for traditional items like tilkut, says Shahmina Nishat, a plus 2 teacher.
The never say die spirit of Gaya tilkut-makers and their resolve to remain in business even without government support and with significantly reduced profit margins make the Gaya tilkut survive, if not thrive.
According to insiders, poaching by confectionery manufacturers of Kolkata and Patna has led to large-scale migration of skilled workers, putting at stake the survival of this industry at its birth place itself. Whether it be Kolkata, Patna or any other part of the country, local tilkuts are given the Gaya tag to make it acceptable to the buyers because tilkut and Gaya are like synonyms.
Nearly 400 families living at Ramna, Tekari Road, Morarpur K P Road and other localities of Gaya town earn their livelihood by making tilkut only. Seasonal income and dwindling profit margin make the going tough for tilkut-makers. Made of a mix of lintel, sugar/gur in the right proportions and heated at an optimum temperature in cold but dry weather, skilfully hammered and shaped like biscuits, the tilkut-making needs specialized skill found mainly in Gaya town.
According to Central Bihar Chamber of Commerce, tilkut should be given the cottage industry status to make it survive against all odds. Once it's granted a cottage industry status, tilkut-makers can avail priority sector loan facilities provided by the nationalized banks. As on date, capital-starved tilkut-makers have to borrow money at the market rate of interest.
Narrating the woes of the Gaya tilkut-makers, Lalji Prasad, who carries forward the family tradition of tilkut-making, said instead of declaring tilkut-making a cottage industry, the government has brought it under the purview of Food Safety Act requiring licence from the health department. One cannot get the licence made and renewed annually without greasing the officials' palm, he said.
Prasad also says that due to lack of finance, the tilkut-makers cannot engage in bulk and advanced purchase of items like lintel, sugar/gur. The wholesalers of these items charge arbitrary prices when the demand peaks up around Makar Sankranti. Sugar/Gur prices have more than doubled since the last season. This hike cannot be fully passed on to the consumer as it would affect the sale with the result that profit margins dip and the incentive to remain in the business loses charm. Moreover, the tilkut-makers have to purchase coal and kerosene on the black market as no arrangement is made to ensure the supply of these items at a reasonable price.
For several years now, the Gaya tilkut has been a regular feature at the International Trade Fair in Delhi and participants of the fair earn good money through tilkut stalls put up at the big ticket event.
But, the greatest and unnoticed threat to Gaya tilkut industry comes from the changing preferences of the young generation who are fast food fans with less liking for traditional items like tilkut, says Shahmina Nishat, a plus 2 teacher.
The never say die spirit of Gaya tilkut-makers and their resolve to remain in business even without government support and with significantly reduced profit margins make the Gaya tilkut survive, if not thrive.
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