Good days for Nilphamari quilt makers

Quilt makers in Nilphamari are all geared up for their seasonal business as demand for the item sees a rise amid fall of temperature in the district ahead of the winter.

Met office at Saidpur airport said the lowest temperature was recorded at 9.5 degrees Celsius in the district on Sunday. The situation may worsen further with the arrival of cold wind from the Himalayas.

Temperature may fall in next weeks as it usually falls by 4 degrees Celsius from mid-December to mid-January, predicts met office.

Poor and low-income people, who usually suffer from malnutrition and have lower body resistance, are the worst victims of the situation, informed health department.

People particularly belonging to the group rush to the quilt combers at haat and bazars in rural areas or roadside shops in the town either to buy new quilt or repair old ones.

Abdur Rahim, an office bearer of district quilt combers' group, said most of their 720 members are passing busy time now as each can make five to six ordinary quilts a day and get Tk 175 as making charge for per piece.

Workers at quilt shops across the district are seen busy stitching quilts, he added.

Rezaul Islam, 45, who pules rickshaw through Nilphamari-Jaldhaka road, said he purchased a quilt at Tk 600.

Six to seven kg imported cotton is needed to make an eight-feet long and 5-feet wide good quality double sized quilt. It costs at Tk 3500 to Tk 3800.

This quilt is highly demanded among solvent people, said comber Akhtar Hossain of Saidpur quilt market.

Quilt makers Hatem Ali and Shahidar Rahman of Domar and Jaldhaka municipalities said November–January is the peak season for their business and the rest of the year, they almost pass idle times.

The quilt makers maintain family from the earning of this peak period, they said.