This article was downloaded by: Publisher: KKG Publications Registered office: 18, Jalan Kenanga SD 9/7 Bandar Sri Damansara, 52200 Malaysia Key Knowledge Generation Publication details, including instructions for author and subscription information: http://kkgpublications.com/business/ The Socio-Economic plight of Artisans in the Bangle Industry - A Comparative Study of North India Firozabad (Glass Bangle) and South India Hyderabad (Lac Bangle) GUNJAN SHARMA North light Consultancy Singapore Published online: 22 February 2017 To cite this article: Sharma, G. (2017). The socio-economic plight of artisans in the bangle industry - A comparative study of North India Firozabad (glass bangle) and South India Hyderabad (lac bangle). International Journal of Business and Administra- tive Studies, 3(1), 21-29. 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This article may be utilized for research, edifying, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly verboten. International Journal of Business and Administrative Studies 2017, 3(1), 21-29 IJBAS THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC PLIGHT OF ARTISANS IN THE BANGLE INDUSTRY - A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF NORTH INDIA FIROZABAD (GLASS BANGLE) AND SOUTH INDIA HYDERABAD (LAC BANGLE) GUNJAN SHARMA ∗ North light Consultancy Singapore Keywords: Abstract. Indian bangle, a hand ornament, has been part of its cultural practices from the ancient period to contemporary times. Already known as a country of vibrant colors, bangles add a different dimension to it with their varied sizes and Bangle shapes. Bangle Industry in India comes under Microenterprises and plays an important role in our Gross Domestic Product Glass Bangle (GDP). In spite of its immense contribution and unique identity, this industry is suffering from many problems and through Indian Lac Bangle this paper, we are going to discover those problems and the consequences. The objective of the study is to examine the Artisans socio-economic existence of the artisans in both the Glass Industry Firozabad (Uttar Pradesh) and Lac Industry Hyderabad Indian Crafts (erst. Andhra Pradesh). This study will also assess key socio-economic indicators like literacy, gender parity, distribution of wealth, social stratification, casteism, social security etc. The research will aim to take a close and balanced holistic Received: 25 October 2016 approach to the role of family, traditions, and inheritance in their choice of livelihood and skill sets. This research will Accepted: 28 December 2016 be conducted by using questionnaire, participant observation, case study to explore the cause and consequences of social Published: 22 February 2017 issues of artisans in bangle industry. ⃝c 2017 KKG Publications. All rights reserved. INTRODUCTION From mythology, history, folklore, Indian literature to popular Our aim is to examine the entrenched problems in their lives songs and stories of Bollywood movies, no ornament has had a which they encounter on a day to day basis and the ordeals more prominent role and imagination capturing power than the they face for their survival in this industry. This study attempts Indian Bangle. The bangle is an ornament used since ancient to bring to light and portray the meager and poverty-stricken Indus valley civilization. A replica of a dancing girl wearing a existence of the crafts persons in the Glass and Lac bangle bangle on her left arm from that era can be seen in the National industry. Child labor, lack of opportunities, poverty and lack Museum of New Delhi India. In Asian countries, the bangle of good education and basic amenities like food and shelter are has significant value in different cultures. India is amongst one the major issues they face. This research aims to objectively of those countries where wearing bangles comes under one analyze the data collected during the field visits, interviews, of the important customs of different communities. Bangle and references and present a verbal and visual portrayal of the making is an art and it is available in many shapes, colors, and various social and economic parameters associated with the materials. Indeed, it is a pride of the woman. However, behind livelihood of bangle craftsmen. The study then further dis- this beautiful ornament is the unseen hard work of many chil- cusses the various steps that must be taken to rescue this fading dren and ladies. In this paper, we are going to throw light on trade and help improve the standard of living of hundreds of some of the aspects of this Industry which are very important thousands of bangle-making community members. to shape the future of any country. A comparative analysis of two different states is done where children and ladies are Research Area engaged in bangle making art and craft. To collect the information from the grass root level, we went into the local community areas in both the cities of Firozabad Objective of the Study as well as Hyderabad. The areas we have covered during our The overall objective of this research is to analyze the socio- research in Hyderabad were amongst the oldest areas like Laad economic existence of artisans in the field of bangle making bazar, Talab Katta, Vattapally, Misri Ganj, Bhawani Nagar in Firozabad and Hyderabad. Behind the dazzle and shimmer etc. The areas we have covered in Firozabad town were Sadar of the beautiful bangles lies the fact that these ornaments are bazar, Moholla Sheeshgran, and Suhag Nagar. The people in- the product of the exploited labor of men, women, and children. volved in this craft are living in communities amongst these ∗ Corresponding author: Gunjan Sharma y Email: [email protected] 2017 Int. J. Bus. Admin. Stud. 22 areas and in most of the houses, all of the family members are ance. Factory owners were not ready to accept that children engaged in this craft for their livelihood. were being employed for making bangles. This research paper has been striving to bring to light the problems of children and LITERATURE REVIEW ladies employed in this sector. Our respondent pool size was From a viewpoint of sociology, not enough detailed and all- limited to a sample of 200 in both the cities; Firozabad and encompassing research is available on the glass bangle indus- Hyderabad. An in-depth study was done during the months of try in Firozabad so far, despite the fact that this district town December 2015 in Firozabad and March 2016 in Hyderabad. has been a major producer of glass products. Presented below A break up of all the information gathered during this period are the viewpoints of authors and writers who have done their will be represented through different tables and charts in this research on a similar topic earlier. In his paper “Health and paper. Environmental Impacts of Glass Industry (A Case Study of Firozabad Glass Industry)” Dr. Prashant Agarwal and Shilpa History of Firozabad Varshney discussed the environmental perils and effects on the Firozabad is a district-town in the state of Uttar Pradesh located artisan’s life. It’s not the workers in this area but also the flora nearly 200 kms away from India’s capital, New Delhi. It is a and fauna that have been the silent victims of this industry relatively small industrial town with a population of around 0.4 (Agarwal & Varshney, 2014). million. Firozabad is renowned for beautiful glass bangles and In her 2009 paper “Child Labor a Study from Anthropological other glass products, so much so that it has earned the sobriquet Perspective” Anjuli Chandra mentioned with special reference of “City of Bangles” (Wikipedia, 2016a; Singh, 2005). to the glass industry, Firozabad about the role of culture and social environment in the growth of a child. She has thrown Glass History in Firozabad light on various aspects of this Industry to highlight the points Known as the glass city of India, the trajectory of this glass city which are coercing children to lead such a harmful life (Chan- can be traced from the ancient period of India. When invaders dra, 2009). brought glass articles to India and when these rejected glass There are very few academic articles that have been written articles were collected and melted in a locally made furnace on Hyderabad Lac Industry. A comprehensive and empirical called as “Bhanisa Bhatti” it was the start of the glass industry research is required on Lac Bangle Industry of Hyderabad. in Firozabad. Wood was the main fuel of the bhatti and these In her research on Hyderabad Lac Bangles, Dr. Sadaf Nasir ancient historic furnaces are still used by people in Sasani near debates on many points of the Muslim community bangle Aligarh and at Purdal Nagar. maker’s socio-economic conditions. Their daily life problems Bangles and small bottles were made at that time. A single ban- lead them to live a miserable life in this sector (Nasir, 2013; gle can be made at a time and without joints.