Jalandhar's knitting units going to seed

The dari-knitting industry of Nakodar, a sub-division of Jalandhar district, has all but vanished.

A few years ago, Nakodar used to be famous for its colourful handmade daris and people from all over the state used to come to buy the product.

The dari industry has its roots in the pre-partition days. Most of the weavers at that time were Muslim. They were also the owners. After partition, the Muslim weavers migrated to Pakistan but the Hindu weavers who came from Pakistan brought about a revolution in the handloom industry. They were from Sialkot, and were known as the Bhagatmeg community.

Things were going fine till the 1980s. As soon as Punjab came under the grip of terrorism, most of the well-established units went to Panipat and Ambala.

As most of the customers were from Delhi, they purchased directly from Panipat instead of Nakodar. Militancy also forced some manufacturers to shut shop.

Then because of technological advances in powerloom, the industry suffered further. In no time, the recognisable cottage industry took the shape of small-scale industry.

But according to a law of 1985, dari production on the powerloom is illegal. But the manufacturers have challenged the Act and the matter is sub-judice.

Manufacturers were also compelled to shed workforce, remarked Surinder Kumar Dhir, owner of the Navjivan Dari Factory, president of the Nakoder Manufacturing Association, and ex-member of the Rajya Sabha Yarn Committee.

Raman Vir Jain, owner of the Raj Dari Factory, said the industry was also suffering because of government apathy as the government didn't extend cheap loans to start powerloom production.

Now the city has 10-15 units (earlier 115 units).

Karan Jain, owner of the Bholanath Kewalkrishan Factory, said the government must organise fairs, exhibitions and campaigns for handmade products to revive the industry.