1 month ago
Bengal's Panagarh women football makers await revival
In Panagarh, Bengal, a group of women used to make footballs to help their community and empower themselves.
The government helped them at first, giving them training and buying their footballs.
But over time, the government stopped supporting them, and the industry started to struggle.
Many women lost their jobs, and some even lost their vision or passed away.
Now, a minister wants to help revive the industry by making sure they have everything they need to start making footballs again.
Women in Panagarh, Bengal, once manufactured footballs as a cottage industry.
The industry started in 1997 with government support, providing training and raw materials.
The government's Sports and Youth Welfare department was the sole buyer of the footballs.
Lack of continued government support led to the industry's decline in 2015.
A minister has recently offered to revamp and restructure the industry.
- Who
- Women of Panagarh, Bengal
- What
- Decline of the women's football manufacturing industry
- Where
- Panagarh, Bengal
- When
- Industry started in 1997, declined in 2015
- Why
- Lack of government support and apathy
Government Support
Industry Decline
Government Involvement
Government Support
The government initially supported the football manufacturing industry in Panagarh, providing training, raw materials, and acting as the sole buyer.
Industry Decline
The lack of continued government support and apathy led to the decline of the industry, with the state's Sports and Youth Welfare department abruptly stopping purchases.
Women Empowerment
Government Support
The industry was started with the vision of boosting the rural economy and empowering women, providing them with employment and a sense of purpose.
Industry Decline
The industry's decline left many women struggling, with some losing their vision and others passing away, highlighting the failure of the government's empowerment initiatives.
Key facts
- Location
- Panagarh, Bengal
- Industry Start Year
- 1997
- Initial Number of Women
- 45
- Daily Production per Group
- 30 footballs
- Government Support
- Training, raw materials, and sole buyer
- Industry Decline Year
- 2015
- Current Status
- Awaiting revival
- Minister's Plan
- Revamp and restructure the industry, secure a sustainable supply chain
Quotes
Rama Banerjee, Bula Bhattacharya, and Sipra Dey
Former workers of the football manufacturing industry
“It’s very exciting to note how the women here got busy with football manufacturing over the years. Equally, it’s shocking to learn how the state’s cautious apathy led the enterprise to slow death, gradually.”
thestatesman.com
“First, I shall take stock of the situation and then extend my cooperation to revitalise the industry at the earliest. We shall secure a sustainable supply chain, before resumption of production line.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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