Agra: Windfall for potters as PM urges people to light candles, earthen lamps

Anuja Jaiswal | TNN | Updated: Apr 5, 2020, 22:39 IST

Photo credit - Sumit Sharma and Anil Agarwal

AGRA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to the nation to light a candle or diya at 9pm on Sunday has provided an opportunity to potters to earn a livelihood even during these days of complete lock down.
Noor Begum, 50, who makes earthen lamps in her house in Hathras, was completely out of work since the nationwide lockdown announced on March 25. She, however, earned Rs 600 on Sunday, as customers lined up to buy diyas on PM’s call for victory over darkness in these times of despair. “I am really thankful to Modi ji, who has urged all citizens to light diyas in their houses,” said Begum, adding that she doesn’t know what it’s result would be. However, she’s happy that she has made Rs 1300 in the last two days.

Begum, who lives with her three minor grand-daughters, said that she was worried more for the girls than herself. “After their parents death, they live with me and my savings are completely finished,” said Begum, who is widow. Following the PM’s address, several customers came to her for buying diyas that cost 100 for Rs 20.

Another Diya maker in Mathura, Asifa Khan, said that she never thought that suddenly many people would start buying diyas during the lockdown. “Its a kind of Diwali sale for us. People here buy diyas in large quantity on Ram Navami too but that too did not happen this year due to closure of all temples” she said.
Expressing similar views, Kailash Gola, who sells earthen lamps along with other stuff like piggy banks, jugs and pots, told TOI that though he sells diyas the whole year for the devotees, there was no sale in the last few days as everything including temples are shut. He said today he earned Rs 250 in two hours due to the PM’s call.

A customer Balram Dixit, who came to buy 100 earthen lamp, said, “I am just following PM Modi’s directions but instead of lighting up one Diya, I will decorate the whole house”.
Another customer, Manoj Sharma, who came to buy routine stuff, said that he was unsure if diyas would be available during lockdown but to his surprise many people were selling them. “I have bought some too and would use them at 9pm today”.