Production dips as migrants leave for Chhath

Chhath — one of the major festivals celebrated in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, starts from tomorrow. Being an industrial hub, in Ludhiana, over 10 lakh migrants earn a livelihood and it is not possible for the entire migrant workforce to go back to their native places to celebrate the occasion so they perform all the rituals here and celebrate the festival.

Thousands of migrants celebrate the festival with fervour here in the city. As the festival begins tomorrow, the migrants will make all the purchases from markets, especially set up for them, and will observe the fast on Thursday without eating or drinking anything. In the wee hours of Friday before the sunset, the devotees will perform puja of Sun and then will open the fast.

“Thousands of migrants live here in Ludhiana, all of us cannot visit the villages back home so we celebrate the festival here only. All kinds of fruits are offered to the Sun god and then sweets are distributed among all. Coconut, sugarcane, etc, are the major offering on the occasion,” Priya, a domestic helper from Uttar Pradesh, said.

Dips to 50 per cent

During the ongoing festive seasons, migrants have either gone back to their native places or have taken leave from factory premises here to celebrate Chhath, the production in the factories have dipped to 50-60 per cent.

Charanjit Singh Vishkarma, president of the United Cycles and Parts Manufacturers Association here, said after Diwali, the sales of bicycles dipped.

“Around this time, there is an acute shortage of labour but since our productions are low, we manage with fewer workers. In these days, even the prices of raw materials come down,” Sharma said.

In the garment industry too, the production has come down to 40-50 per cent due to shortage of labour. Sanju Dhir, president, Ludhiana Woolen Manufacturers Association, said factories would come back to normal after Chhath when the workforce returns.

“This happens every year so we are used to it”, Dhir said.

Importance of Chhath

This festival is purely dedicated to worship the worship of Surya — by offering prayers, Arghya, other sacred items and by performing other puja. The festival brings happiness, prosperity in the life of devotees, feel the devotees. This festival focuses on environmentally friendly practices, including the use of natural materials for offerings and rituals. It is celebrated mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh etc.