Chai in kulhad to make a comeback at railway stations
Having been elbowed out by the more utilitarian plastic and paper cups over the years at railway stations, 'kulhads', which were introduced by former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad 15 years ago, are all set to make a comeback at catering units. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has issued circular instructing caterers at Varanasi and Raebareli stations to use terracotta-made 'kulhads', glasses and plates.
Move will help local potters earn enough to sustain: Officials
The circular was issued to the chief commercial managers of Northern Railway and the North Eastern Railway. The move will not only give passengers a refreshing experience but also provide a huge market for local potters who are struggling to make ends meet, officials said.
Ensure use of environmentally savvy terracotta products, circular says
"Zonal railways and the IRCTC are advised to take necessary action to ensure use of locally produced, environmentally savvy terracotta products like 'kulhads', glasses and plates for serving items to passengers through all static units at Varanasi and Raebareli railway stations with immediate effect," the circular stated. It said that through this move, local terracotta product manufacturers could easily market their products.
KVIC Chairman's letter to Goyal prompted this action
The proposal had come in last December from the chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) who had written a letter to Goyal, suggesting that these two stations be used to generate employment for potters around the area. "We have been giving potters electric wheels which have increased their productivity from making 100 cups to around 600 cups a day," KVIC Chairman said.
Lakhs of potters have now got a readymade market: Saxena
V K Saxena, KVIC Chairman, said, "It was important to give them (potters) a market to sell their wares and generate income. With the railways agreeing to our proposal, lakhs of potters have now got a readymade market. It's a win for all."
Government distributing electric wheels to potters under Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana
"The entire community is thankful to the railways and hopefully we can do this across its network eventually," Saxena said, adding that he is expecting the daily production of pottery to reach 2.5 lakh to meet the demands of these two stations. Under the Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana, the government has been distributing electric wheels to potters to increase their productivity.
6,000 electric wheels to be distributed by KVIC this year
In Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency, around 300 such wheels have been distributed with 1,000 more in the pipeline. In Raebareli, the parliamentary constituency of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, 100 have been distributed with 700 more to be given out. Over all, the KVIC will distribute around 6,000 electric wheels across the country this year, Saxena said.
Lalu Prasad Yadav introduced the concept of 'kulhad' at stations
In 2004, Lalu had introduced 'kulhads' to boost the dying pottery industry and also give passengers a taste of eco-friendly cups. He had made it clear that hot beverages should be served only in 'kulhads'. Though no specific allocation was made for 'kulhads' in the rail-budget, railway officials said it was included in the target of sundry other earnings, placed at Rs, 1,072 crore.
Courtesy eco-friendly drive, kulhad may have longer innings this time
However, efforts of the railways did not get much traction from both passengers and vendors, who complained about the poor quality of earthen cups. At most stations, paper and plastic cups are used to serve beverages. But with the present government batting for the green and eco-friendly 'Made in India' produce, 'kulhads' could have a longer innings this time, the officials said.
