Laghu Udyog Bharati, Dhule plans to form cluster for copper utensil makers, Songir near Dhule is known nationally for its unique utensils

Aurangabad, Nov 24: Laghu Udyog Bharati, (LUB), Dhule has taken an initiative to form a cluster for artisans involved in making copper-brass embroidered pottery and utensils at Songir village on the outskirts of Dhule city in Khandesh, nearly 180 kms from Aurangabad. This industry has a historical tradition and reputation. LUB, which works nationally for the growth and development of MSMEs, has sent a proposal to union MSME department seeking central government benefits for the utensil makers.

LUB''s ''Gram Shilpi'' Cell has been looking after such traditional Indian industries across the country to develop their skills and create employment and self-employment in rural India.

Similar industries in Dhule district have been known in the country since pre-independence times. One of these is the copper-brass embroidered pottery and utensils industry at Songir. Many families are still involved in this traditional art, industry and business. Due to the rapid urbanization in recent times and the lure of high-paying jobs in big cities, the next generation of these businessmen and workers at Songir are getting attracted to metros for their bread and butter, but there is a huge potential for growth in this traditional business of copper utensils.

Speaking to Lokmat Times, Vardhaman Singavi Secretary - LUB Dhule said LUB is striving to create awareness among the youth about entrepreneurship and to inform them about various governments schemes. Dhule LUB team including Singavi, Ravi Sonawane, Subhash Kankaria, Rahul Kulkarni, and Rajendra Khandelwal convinced these traditional entrepreneurs at Songir to try cluster approach and promised to provide all possible assistance.

The possibility is being tried by LUB to assist these unorganised village and cottage industries with the help and technical guidance through experts in order to increase productivity through semi-mechanization, keeping their special skills as it is, as well as to study the possibility of designing new products with the help of various design software developed in recent times. Team LUB also analysed possibility of bringing together all these professionals to buy good quality raw materials collectively at lower rates, and making them aware of various other facilities provided by the government under ''cluster'' programme. LUB, Dhule has urged the union government to sanction the cluster project for Songir.

A cluster is a group of industries serving the same, similar or complementary products or services related to the same business or more than one business in the same geographical location. Various government schemes have been implemented to provide basic physical infrastructure services, assistance for finance and marketing facilities to these industries.

Many families and almost all the adult male members are engaged in the traditional Kasar family business at Songir. The professionals, who work tirelessly for eight months of the year, are the ones who with the help of their skill and hard work, make embroidered, beautiful and durable copper utensils which are still in demand all over the country. Many truck drivers and travellers traveling on the Mumbai-Agra highway will be seen passing through Songir after buying the famous copper utensils from here.