By Phuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, January 6: Despite the cold wave in northern India with mercury touching a record low in several years and the reported death of several people due to cold this winter in states like UP and Delhi, the Tibetan sweater sellers spread across India say the drop in temperature has not reflected in sale of winter garments this season.
Bodhi Dolma, a Tibetan woman who has been doing seasonal business of winter garments in Ahmedabad, like thousands others all over India, said the sales this season has not been satisfactory.
“The beginning of the season was very bad with very little sales, then a few cold days in December sped up sales for a short time. Currently, the business is normal with average sale of 20,000 INR to Rs. 30,000 INR a day,” said Dolma, who fears she would not be able to finish her stock which she would have to sell next season at a much lower price.
Thousands of Tibetans set up makeshift markets in various cities of India from October till the end of January for winter sweater business, a major source of livelihood for majority of Tibetan refugees in India for decades.
News reports by various Indian channels on severe cold wave over northern India had given some hope for the Tibetans for a flourishing business this season. However, the cold wave has not led to push in sales as expected.
Another Tibetan sweater seller Jigme Dolma from Ghaziabad, National Capital Region (NCR) said, “Winter started late here and it slowed down our business. We are yet to recover the capital amount we have invested and already the season is nearing its end.”
However, while many complained about poor business this year, the Tibetan merchants are reportedly doing well in Jaipur, which has the largest Tibetan market of winter garments in the country with over 400 stalls.
Pasang Tenzin, who has been coming to Jaipur for over 20 years, said the business this season has been better despite a poor start. “Most Tibetan sellers here have paid back their loan to Indian suppliers on time, which is usually possible only during a good business season. So we had an overall good sales this season,” Tenzin added. He said the sale is likely to pick up again in mid January as the mercury continues to dip low.
“Tibetans avail loans from Indian banks which give only a limited amount, and procure a part of their stock by paying back to the Indian suppliers (lalas) in Ludhiana after they wrap up the season or even during the season if the business is good”, said Sonam Wangpo, a Tibetan who owns a stall in Ahmedabad.
