Ahmad Ali too once had 12-13 units but quit weaving and took up selling balloons at neighbourhood melas, when business started to fizzle out. His earnings are still erratic but does not know of other employment options. Family expenses are mostly met from his son’s earnings who is doing Zardozi work.
His wife who used to earlier work with now does only housework. He will return to weaving if he earns at minimum wages (Rs 200-Rs 250) per day. One of the major drawbacks of the dying craft of weaving in Baragaon, is that women who once shouldered equal responsibilities with the men folk, are left with little means of employment.
