The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Thakurgaon

Blacksmiths of the Thakurgaon, Panchagarh and Dinajpur are now facing hard times and giving up their age-old profession for want of patronage and due to lack of the growth of modern foundries here.

According to local people, several thousand blacksmiths were seen busy at different hats and bazaars of the 3 northern districts for making necessary household materials like axes, spades, knives, scissors, shovels and machetes and used to earn their livelihood by making these types of the households.

"But nowadays, the blacksmiths are facing problems because of unusual rise in prices of raw materials and quality iron-products manufactured in the foundries of the country" over a dozen of local blacksmiths said while talking to New Nation Correspondent here. Meanwhile, at least 3000 blacksmiths have already deserted their occupation and many others are now looking for an alternative profession, they informed.

The prices of necessary households, including spades and axes, have registered a rise nowadays causing suffering to the local people especially the farmers who use it frequently they said.