Pakistani Hindus carve a niche in jutti manufacturing in Rajasthan , India

Source http://www.tribuneindia.com
Tuesday,April 27,2010

(Suresh Kumar at work in his shop)

Rajasthan : When Harchand Ram, along with a number of Hindu families descended on this sleepy village situated on Sriganganagar-Hindumalkot road, from Pakistan about 18 years ago, they faced huge problems pertaining to social and economic aspects.

For a few months, they had to survive on the help extended to them by 35 Hindu families, which migrated to this place in 1971from Pakistan.

Today, Harchand Ram and members of families of his brothers are not only famous in this region of Rajasthan but in other parts of India and in countries like Canada, England and the United States (US).

“People come to buy juttis, from places like the US, Canada, England, Australia and New Zealand whenever they come to India on vacation or other occasions,” said Harchand Ram adding that they had been manufacturing juttis with embroidery over its upper area with Jari, Tilla and silk thread.

“Even senior civil and police officials of Northern India have become our permanent customers. We have manufactured juttis for the chief ministers of Rajasthan, leading politicians of the country and for a section of Bollywood stars,” he claimed.

However, they are disappointed as they think they are being treated as second class citizens despite the fact that they have been granted Indian citizenship many years ago.