Kolkata, November 20 – As the winter season sets in Old Calcutta (Kolkata) has different appearance altogether. The entire stretch of pavements, in and around Wellington Square, appear wrapped up with woollen clothes. Tibetan refugees flock the markets during this season and sell the garments. The winter has not been cold so far this year, and this has added to the woes of Tibetan refugees.
Earlier, these traders used to make huge profits. This year they are struggling to earn a living. Their stalls are full of colourful woolen garments, jackets, and a large variety of shawls and blankets but there are not many customers.
People in Kolkata require woollen clothes only for a brief period of 15-20 days a year and that too in the chill months of December and January.
According to Tashi, a seller, “This time the response is not good. We are trading here for the last 20-25 years but now the business is not as good as it used to be. Our sales depend on weather, if winters stay for long, we make good money, otherwise, it is not very satisfactory.”
It’s been over three decades since Tibetans started setting up make-shift shops or stalls here especially during the winter season. Around 300 stalls have been set up on the pavements. Most of the refugees are either from Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh or Darjeeling in West Bengal.
Interestingly, almost 90 per cent of the sellers are women. Most of them sell their self-knitted woollen garments. However, a few of them purchase their goods from the wholesale markets of Delhi and then sell it in Kolkata in retail.
Another seller, Zubeida says, ” People are sweating here because of hot weather, business is not picking up. It’s really disappointing this time.”
The price and quality of the woollen items allures the buyers most. According to Rajeev, a buyer, “Their prices are quite affordable. They bring all sorts of woolen items including shawls, ladies sweaters and cardigans and gents’ cardigans. These items are liked by people.”
The Tibetan refugees are hoping for a turn in the weather which will bring chill winds to Kolkata.
