The future of making earthenware products is in danger as several potters are encouraging their younger generations to quit the work and look for an alternative source of livelihood.
By R.J. Jebhan Samuel
Student of PSGCAS
Global hunger has risen, affecting over 690 million people - about one out of every nine people on the planet. At the same time, millions of people worldwide are at risk of malnutrition in various forms. Hunger is a major source of poverty, but it is also a major cause of poverty. If a person does not eat enough, he or she will lack the strength and energy required to work.
Ending world hunger is one of the greatest challenges of our times. Across the globe, up to 828 million people do not have enough food and 50 million people are facing emergency levels of hunger. As part of the ZERO HUNGER CHALLENGE , PSGCAS made great work for the pottery workers for their livelihood.
A Guinness record has been set by keeping about 75 thousand pottery assigned as no.75 to mention the 75th Coral Anniversary of PSG college of Arts and Science in Coimbatore with the focus on Zero Hunger Challenge, which is one of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations.
Highlights of the ceremony PSGCAS celebrated its 75th coral festival of the college, Tamil Nadu Chief MinisterM. K. Stalin presented a cheque worth One lakh to 75 potter families.
PSGCAS is one of South India's leading Higher Education Institutions. PSG College of Arts & Science was constituted in 1947 before independence with the mission to elevate education to a high pedestal, accessible to all who seek knowledge and world class education.
In 2003, PSGCAS became an ISO 9001:2000 Certified Institution. The next year, the college was awarded College with Potential for Excellence (CPE) status by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
In 2015, PSGCAS was honored as Best Institute for Women Skill Development awarded by the Association Chambers of Competence and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) & Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Govt. of India.
PSGCAS received the Green Institutional Mentor Award for exemplary performance in campus water and sanitation management in 2019.
In 2020, Indian Express honored PSGCAS with the Think Edu Award for consistent NIRF rank as of the past year. College was categorized under Band A (rank 6 -25) in Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA).
Making clay pots or any pottery item has existed since the early historical period. The excavations in several parts of the country and Tamil Nadu, in particular, led to the discovery of pottery items, helping estimate the period of civilization.
With no guarantee on assured prices for their products, the workers continue to demand stronger and more effective cooperative societies to protect and sell the goods in the market.
Another major challenge facing the workers is the climate prevailing, which receives two monsoons every year, leaving the workers without work and income for almost seven months.
“We lost close to Rs 80,000 potter during lockdown and more after the pandemic. My regular income has also reduced over the years due to improvement in technology. Five to seven years ago, it was easy for us to survive with what we earned by selling water pots during summer. That is not the case anymore as many can afford a refrigerator now. Due to the popularity of ceramic and plastic products for home decor and kitchenware, our finances have dwindled,” lamented Lakshman, who has been in this business for the last 30 years.
So, the potters are of the opinion that instead of providing them loans, the government should offer them financial assistance similar to what is given to weavers and handloom workers. As per their request Tamilnadu Government had taken many steps for their development.
Pottery was acquired from 75 families belonging to the villages of Daruvai, Melapalayam, Ponnakudi, Samathuvapuram in Tirunelveli district in order to alleviate their poverty and improve their career.
On the occasion of the 75th coral festival of the college, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin gave a cheque of Rs.One lakh to each potter family. The college students and management joined hands with the DREAM INDIA FOUNDATION and collected 75 lakhs for the potter families.
In particular, during the pandemic, small business owners were weakened. PSG college has shown concern about it. While enhancing the livelihood of potters and increasing career opportunities, PSG College of Arts and Sciences set a Guinness World Record by making 75,000 pottery on the occasion of the college's 75th Coral Festival. Of course, the families of pottery workers have benefited in various ways.
Highlights
On 75th Coral Anniversary ,
College bought 75,000 pottery,
With cost of 75,00,000 lakhs,
Bestowed to 75 Potter Family.
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