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India: Silence of the Looms - impact of the Covid-19 Lockdown on the traditional weaving industry in Eastern Uttar Pradesh | CJP

3 February 2022

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A study examining the impact of the Covid-19 Lockdown on the traditional weaving industry

This on-ground fact finding mission by Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) spread over 2020 and 2021, takes a deep and nuanced look at the plight of the traditional weaving industry in Purvanchal (Eastern Uttar Pradesh), especially in wake of the Covid-19 induced Lockdown.

Our 17-member survey team led by Dr. Muniza Khan, Varanasi-based social science researcher, conducted detailed interviews of 204 respondents, 37 video interviews and 19 audio-interviews in neighbourhoods with a high concentration of people engaged in weaving the famous Banarasi fabric and allied activities
The locations of the respondents were: Varanasi (13 locations), Gorakhpur (Rasoolpur, Purana Gorakhnath), Azamgarh (Mubarakpur, Ibrahimpur, Shahpur) and Mau (Ghosi, Madhuban). The team took all necessary precautions, including wearing masks, using sanitisers and maintaining social distancing, while conducting the physical survey amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

Read the Executive Summary of the Report here

The Hindi version is available here