Manja 8212; the thread that binds two states together

Shabir Hussain camping with his family near Raipur bus stand said, 8220;I came to the city last Sunday along with eight other family members including my brother, our wives and children. A couple of other workers from Lucknow have accompanied us for work.8221;

The workers are provided raw material and equipment by the dealers. Traditionally manja8217; is made from cotton thread. Workers from Lucknow have become popular in the city due to the fact that they are involved in making the thread round the year in Lucknow.

8220;Unlike in Ahmedabad, kite flying is not restricted to a particular month or season in Lucknow. quot;Manufacturing of kites and manja8217; continues around the year there and many people like us have mastered the art,8221; Shabir says.

However, the sheer amount of business the city generates during Uttarayan attracts these workers from Lucknow. Each family prepares 50 to 200 charkhis8217; of kite flying string everyday. The dealer, who provides them the raw material, pays them one rupee for every reel they prepare. The same reel is sold for any amount between Rs 50 and Rs 200 by the dealers.

Despite knowing about the high margin the business offers, these workers are unable to start the business on their own due to financial difficulties. 8220;We know that several people do brisk business here during the kite flying season. However, we do not have enough money to buy raw material and equipments needed to manufacture the thread. We earn just enough money for out daily bread and sometimes manage to save a bit,8221; said a worker accompanying Shabir.