Khulna, Nov 19 (BDNEWS) – Though Dakkhindihi village under Phultola upazila of the district is known as the home of the in – laws of Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore it has also attained fame as Pauper village.
Nearly 1,000 people of the village have become self-reliant engaging in making paupers that were disseminated to the remote corners of Southwestern region of the country for its popularity.
All the families of Dakkhindihi village including Haritala, Tamaltola and Tartibpur areas were engaged round the year in paupers making, drying and packing from dawn to dusk.
But the humid weather could halt them from paupers making because pauper demands sunshine for drying and packing.
Local people said that from the month of Kartik to Chaitra and in time of different festivals the demand for paupers increases highly and they also produce a lot of paupers in those days.
Few Hindu families used to make paupers for their family during the end period of British rule that gradually became a commercial commodity for its crispiness and favourite position in the Bengali food items, they added.
Mukul Hossain (35), a villager told BDNEWS that at first, they make thick paste mixing the powder of rice with the dust of different kinds of pulses and then they make several small pellets.
Later, they roll the small pellets within flat plate and rolling pin and make paupers for drying and finally for selling, he added.
Purnima Rani Kunda (42), wife of a physically disabled as well as mother of three kids have been maintaining her family making between 2,000 to 2,500 paupers a day.
She said that she sells paupers to Phultola Bazar and is makes a profit of nearly TK 50 to 55 on an average.
But, the frequent price hike of rice and pulses has decreased their profit, she added.
Soma Kunda (35), Prabhati Kunda (38) and Pushpa Kunda (28) of Dakkhindihi also have been contributing to their family income along with their husbands making paupers.
They said that the local traders have supplied them all the ingredients and they have earned TK 14 to 15 rolling a thousand paupers.
On a spot visit, it has been found that there are 50 local pauper traders in Dakkhindihi village and between 10 to 20 women have been working under each trader.
Ananda Datta, a local trader told BDNEWS that 20 women work under him.
He said that he has to buy a kg of pulse at TK 36 that was TK 27 to 28 few months ago. But he has to sell the paupers at previous price that lessened his profit.
On the other hand, Bhagirathi Kunda (58), another local trader told BDNEWS that 12 women have been working under him who have been rolling nearly seven maunds of paupers everyday and he sells those to local market including Phultola, Noyapara in Khulna as well as to Jhenaidah, Magura, Chuadanga, Kushtia and Jessore.
Some 90 to 100 pieces of pauper could be made from one kg thick paste that cost nearly TK 25 and is sold for TK 26 to 27.
Swapna Rani Biswas (32), the wife of a rickshaw van driver and the mother of three daughters told BDNEWS that she earns TK 500 to 600 every month rolling paupers.
Rolling paupers she could pass her time well and also contribute to the family income, she added.
BDNEWS/1020 hrs
