ROOPNAGAR, Nov 11: Sale of fake tiger skins is on the rise in various parts of Roopnagar district.Groups of Karnataka-based women have been deceiving people by passing off calf hides as tiger skins by painting stripes on them. Fake tiger claws carved out of bull horns, moustaches and rudrakshas are also on sale.The gullibility of the buyers, who mostly constitute the rural illiterates, stems from their belief that the possession of tiger parts heralds good health and prosperity.Three such women identified as Ruksana, Champa and Rukmani, said they had been in the business for the past several years. They said while they went around trying to lure buyers, their families at Khanna were engaged in making these fake skins, calf hides for which purpose were purchased from Jalandhar, at a price ranging between Rs 20 and Rs 50 per piece.They admitted that their business hinged on the superstitions and beliefs that led people to buy these items to "ward off evil spirits or to enhance their physical well being".Children's Day celebrationsA state-level Children's Day function is being organised at the Nehru Stadium here on November 14. The district Red Cross Society would provide cycles and artificial limbs to the disabled and handicapped children on the occasion.
