-- Samir Umarye BICHOLIM: Artisans making idols of Ganesh, from Mayem have suggested that government should give them subsidies well in advance and should also increase the grants given to them.
It may be stated that Ganesh festival will be celebrated next month and in several parts of the state artisans have already stated making Ganesh idols. When Herald contacted some of the artisians from Mayem they came up with several difficulties faced by them and also demanded that the government should provide them with subsidy well in advance. “There are several problems that we face while making idols. Earlier we were getting the required clay from Pernem but this year we had to satisfy with the clay that we got from Bicholim after we were not allowed to lift the clay from Pernem” Durgaram Shet from Mayem told. “The cost of idol has increased because of all these reasons. But we cannot charge heavily to the locals even if we have to bare some loss” Shet told adding “only if we take the idols to Mapusa and other cities we get some good money.” They also believe that plaster of paris idols has also dampen their market. “Government should provide us subsidy in the month of April or May so that we can buy the needed material” Shet demanded also asking the government to increase the subsidy. The workers how work to make the idols feel that now making and colouring of idols has become easy with new technology but they are not getting the required price.