The handloom industry in Kannur's heritage village of Azhikode is facing a severe decline, with many weavers sitting idle. Once a vibrant center dating back to the 16th century, the area now sees most houses abandoning weaving. Of the over 10,000 weavers and workers previously employed, only 2,800 remain active, predominantly women.

Weavers like Prabhakaran Badi, who lost his job over ten years ago when a weaving mill closed, now find it difficult to survive on the low wages for spinning yarn. Pavithran, a weaver with 50 years of experience, now operates a single loom for export orders, noting that younger generations prefer jobs with higher daily earnings. He also mentioned that the "heritage village" designation has not brought any real benefits to the weavers.

A.V. Gopalan, who started weaving at 14, highlighted ongoing issues of lack of employment, wages, and benefits in the traditional handloom sector. K.V. Santhosh Kumar, secretary of the Kannur District Handloom Societies Association, stated that out of 65 societies, only 35 are still operating. He also pointed out that wage arrears are a significant problem, with four months of wages, totaling ₹4.5 crore, pending for workers in Kannur.

The school uniform project now accounts for half of the output for many societies, but even this has brought financial strain. One society experienced a loss of ₹60 lakh producing uniforms. The introduction of a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on uniform fabric production has further burdened the societies, as this tax is unrecoverable. Additionally, HANTEX, the apex handloom cooperative, reportedly owes ₹10 crore in dues to societies. The sector also faces potential future challenges with the United States imposing a 25% tariff on Indian exports.

Original article

Actionable Information: There is no actionable information provided in this article. It details the struggles of the handloom industry but does not offer any steps or resources for individuals to take.

Educational Depth: The article provides some factual information about the decline of the handloom industry in Kannur, including historical context (16th century) and current statistics (reduction in weavers, number of operating societies, wage arrears, financial losses). However, it lacks deeper explanation of the systemic causes behind these issues or a breakdown of how the financial figures were derived.

Personal Relevance: The article has limited personal relevance for a general reader. While it highlights economic hardship in a specific industry, it doesn't directly impact the daily lives, financial decisions, or safety of most individuals. It doesn't offer advice on how to navigate similar economic downturns or support such industries.

Public Service Function: This article does not serve a public service function. It does not offer official warnings, safety advice, or emergency contacts. It reports on a problem without providing any public resources or guidance.

Practicality of Advice: No advice or steps are offered in the article, so there is no practicality to assess.

Long-Term Impact: The article does not provide information or actions that would have a lasting positive impact on the reader. It describes a situation of decline without suggesting solutions or strategies for future improvement.

Emotional or Psychological Impact: The article may evoke feelings of concern or sympathy for the weavers described. However, it does not offer any hope, empowerment, or strategies for dealing with such economic challenges, potentially leaving the reader feeling helpless about the situation.

Clickbait or Ad-Driven Words: The article does not appear to use clickbait or ad-driven language. The tone is informative and descriptive of the situation.

Missed Chances to Teach or Guide: The article misses several opportunities to provide more value. It could have included: * Clearer steps for consumers: How can an average person support the handloom industry? Are there specific cooperatives or online platforms to buy from? * Resources for weavers: Where can weavers find information on government schemes, financial aid, or alternative livelihood options? * Deeper analysis of GST impact: Explaining why the GST is unrecoverable and its specific implications would add educational depth. * Information on HANTEX: Providing contact details or a website for HANTEX would allow interested parties to learn more or inquire about dues. * Guidance on navigating tariffs: If the US tariff is a significant future challenge, offering advice on how the industry might adapt or how consumers can support products less affected would be beneficial.

The decline of the handloom industry in Azhikode, Kannur, poses a significant threat to the social fabric and survival of families and communities in the region. The vibrant heritage village, once a thriving center of weaving, now faces an existential crisis that undermines the very foundations of kinship and local stewardship.

The loss of jobs and the decline in the number of active weavers, predominantly women, directly impacts the ability of families to provide for their children and elders. With reduced employment opportunities and low wages, fathers and mothers struggle to fulfill their natural duties of raising and caring for their offspring. This economic strain weakens the family unit and diminishes the sense of security and stability that is essential for the well-being of children and the elderly.

The lack of employment, wages, and benefits in the traditional handloom sector further exacerbates this issue. Weavers like Prabhakaran Badi and Pavithran, who have dedicated their lives to this craft, now face an uncertain future. Their experiences highlight the erosion of trust and responsibility within the community. The "heritage village" designation, meant to bring benefits, has failed to deliver, leaving weavers like Pavithran operating a single loom and struggling to survive.

The financial strain on handloom societies, including the school uniform project, is a direct threat to the continuity of these communities. The loss of ₹60 lakh by one society and the unrecoverable GST on uniform fabric production burden the societies and limit their ability to support their members. This financial instability weakens the social bonds and the sense of collective responsibility that are vital for the survival of the clan.

Additionally, the potential future challenges, such as the US tariff on Indian exports, further compound these issues. Such external pressures can lead to a breakdown of local resilience and the ability to provide for and protect one's kin. The imposition of tariffs by distant authorities highlights the erosion of local control and the potential for external forces to disrupt the peaceful resolution of community issues.

The described behaviors and economic trends have the potential to diminish birth rates below replacement levels and undermine the social structures that support procreative families. This is a direct threat to the continuity of the people and the stewardship of the land. Without a renewed commitment to the natural duties of raising children and caring for elders, the survival of the community is at risk.

If these ideas and behaviors spread unchecked, the consequences will be dire. Families will face increased financial strain, leading to a breakdown of the social safety net that protects the vulnerable. Children, the future of the community, will suffer from reduced opportunities and a diminished sense of security. Elders, the guardians of wisdom and tradition, will be left without the care and respect they deserve. The community's ability to thrive and care for its land will be severely compromised, leading to a decline in the very essence of what makes a people strong and resilient.

It is imperative that local communities take action to restore trust, fulfill their duties, and protect their kin. This may involve seeking fair repayment for wage arrears, advocating for the removal of burdensome taxes, and exploring innovative ways to support the traditional handloom sector. By strengthening local kinship bonds and upholding ancestral principles, communities can ensure the survival and prosperity of their people for generations to come.

The text uses strong words to create a sad picture of the handloom industry. Phrases like "severe decline" and "sitting idle" make the situation sound very bad. This helps show the problems weavers are facing.

The text highlights the low wages for spinning yarn, which makes it hard for weavers to survive. This points to a class or money bias by showing how difficult it is for poor workers. It suggests that the system is not fair to them.

The text mentions that the "heritage village" designation has not brought any real benefits. This suggests that official labels or recognition might not always help the people they are supposed to support. It questions the effectiveness of such designations.

The text states that wage arrears are a significant problem, with four months of wages pending. This shows a bias against the system that owes money to the workers. It emphasizes the financial hardship caused by delayed payments.

The introduction of a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on uniform fabric production is presented as a burden. The text explains that this tax is unrecoverable, which shows a bias against the tax policy. It suggests the tax is unfair to the societies.

The text mentions that HANTEX owes ₹10 crore in dues to societies. This points to a bias against HANTEX, showing it as a party that is not fulfilling its financial obligations. It highlights a failure in the cooperative system.

The text suggests that the United States imposing a 25% tariff on Indian exports could be a future challenge. This shows a bias against international trade policies that might hurt Indian industries. It frames the tariff as a negative external factor.

The text conveys a strong sense of sadness and disappointment regarding the decline of the handloom industry in Azhikode. This is evident in phrases like "severe decline," "many weavers sitting idle," and "most houses abandoning weaving." The personal stories of Prabhakaran Badi and Pavithran, who have experienced job loss and struggle to survive on low wages, amplify this feeling of sadness. The mention of only 2,800 active weavers remaining out of over 10,000 highlights the significant loss and the dimming of a once vibrant tradition. This sadness serves to evoke sympathy from the reader, making them feel for the plight of the weavers and the fading heritage.

A feeling of frustration and concern is also present, particularly in the statements from A.V. Gopalan and K.V. Santhosh Kumar. Gopalan's mention of "ongoing issues of lack of employment, wages, and benefits" points to persistent problems that are not being resolved. Santhosh Kumar's revelation that only 35 out of 65 societies are operating and the significant wage arrears of ₹4.5 crore create a sense of urgency and worry about the sector's survival. This frustration and concern are intended to alert the reader to the critical state of the industry and the systemic issues at play.

There is also an underlying tone of disillusionment or disappointment when Pavithran states that the "heritage village" designation has not brought any real benefits. This suggests a disconnect between official recognition and tangible support, leading to a feeling that promises have not been fulfilled. This disillusionment aims to make the reader question the effectiveness of current policies and perhaps inspire a desire for more impactful solutions.

The writer uses personal stories, like that of Prabhakaran Badi losing his job and Pavithran operating a single loom, to make the abstract problem of industry decline relatable and emotionally impactful. These stories are powerful tools that allow the reader to connect with the human cost of the economic challenges. The contrast between the past vibrancy of the industry and its current state of decline is a form of comparison that emphasizes the severity of the situation and evokes a sense of loss. The mention of specific financial figures, such as the ₹60 lakh loss for one society or the ₹10 crore owed by HANTEX, serves to underscore the magnitude of the problems, making them sound more extreme and thus more concerning to the reader. These emotional appeals are designed to persuade the reader to recognize the gravity of the situation and potentially to support efforts to revive the handloom sector.