COVID-19 lockdown hits Ganesha idol making business

The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi which will be observed on 22 August this year, is badly affected by the lockdown, which has been in place for 40 days to contain the spread of coronavirus. The Ganesh idol makers in Pen taluqua village of Raigarh district which is the hub of Ganesha idols suffered great loss due to the lockdown.

Raigad (Maharashtra):To contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, the entire country is bearing the brunt of the lockdown. The unprecedented lockdown also spoiled festivals across the nation.

The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi which will be observed on 22 August this year, is also affected by the lockdown. The Ganesh idol makers in Pen village of Raigarh district suffered great loss due to the lockdown.

Pen taluk in Raigarh district is known as the main hub of Ganesh idols. The villages Pen, Hamrapur, Kalwa, Johe have lost their original names and now especially known as Ganpati villages.

In every family in these villages, idol making is carried out round the year. All family members and workers remain busy in making idols continuously.

Generally, after 15 days of Ganesh idols immersion, the making of idols is started afresh. The attractive and graceful Ganesh idols made in Pen have a huge demand from the entire world. But, due to lockdown, all the planning of these idol makers have gone haywire. Currently, there is no work being done in these units.

1000 units closed and two and a half lakh workers lost jobs

There are approximately more than one thousand Ganesh idol making units in Pen. Thousands of workers serve in these units. The livelihood of these artists depends upon the business and salaries they get. But, due to lockdown, all the units are closed and these artists are facing job losses.

Ganesh Makers worried due to loans worth Rs 25 lakhs

Ganesh Chaturthi, the most popular festival is on 22nd August this year but bogged down under the clouds of the Coronavirus.

Ganesh makers run their business with the help of loans from banks and credit societies. But, as the lockdown is continued, there is uncertainty about the starting of the business.

A big problem haunting them is when the idols will be completed and be ready for sale. They are facing several problems such as bank loan repayment, credit society loans, EMIs, salaries of workers, etc.

Lahu Thakur, a Ganesh idol maker in Hamrapur says that a Ganesh maker carries loans worth Rs 5 to 25 lakhs on his head.

No order from abroad

Many famous idol makers said that they have not received any orders from abroad. The idols made here are taken to many countries, that include England, France, Mauritius, US, China, and Japan, etc. All these nations are under the corona scare and so no one from these countries have booked any orders. This adverse situation has pushed Ganesh makers in deep financial worries.

No raw materials available, demand to end lockdown earlier

Plaster of Paris which is essential for making big idols of Ganesh is brought from states like Rajasthan, Gujrat, and Southern states.

But, as the borders of these states are closed due to Corona, the raw material is not available for these Ganesh makers. Vaibhav Thakur, a Ganesh maker in Hamrapur says that we are worried about many factors including unavailability of raw materials, raising money for investment, workers' salaries, etc.

He demanded that the government should solve their issues and permit to start these units as early as possible.

Guardian minister assurance

Idol makers in Pen met Raigarh guardian minister Aditi Tatkare two days ago.

She had assured them about conveying their demands to the government and find a way as early as possible. She said that the lockdown is extended to 17th May.

While many people are worried about their employment, Ganesh makers are also facing difficulties. These makers have only three and half months period in hand and still, they are facing problems like closed units, non-availability of raw materials, etc. She told them that she will persuade the government to permit these makers to start their businesses.

Will there be Ganeshotsav?

Maharashtra and Ganeshotsav have an inseparable relation. Though nowadays Ganeshotsav is celebrated in the entire world, in Maharashtra it is celebrated with big fanfare and fervour.

The cities Mumbai and Pune are the centres of Ganeshotsav. There is a big attraction every year for traditional Ganpati Mandal idols in Pune and large idols in Mumbai among the devotees.

This year these two cities are Corona’s hotspots and so doubts about Ganeshotsav are in devotees' minds. Taking into account the intensity of Corona spread in Maharashtra, compliance of social distancing is extremely essential.

In this situation, whether there will be Ganeshotsav or not is the question everybody has in mind.