#9- The Bangle Makers of Firozabad: Behind the Jingle Jangle of Indian Culture

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The word Bangle is derived from the Hindi word ‘bungri’ means glass, and are traditional ornaments mostly worn by women all over South Asia .In Indian culture,  bangles  have their own significance . For Indian women, bangles are not just mere ornaments. It is a tradition. Bangles are more than accessories for Indian women. Red signifies energy and prosperity, while green denotes good luck . Yellow bangles are meant for happiness, white is for new beginnings and orange is for success. Silver bangles denote strength and gold bangles are the ultimate symbol of fortune and prosperity.
Apart from the socio-cultural significance, Indian women love their bangles. Womenfolk love to enhance their feminine grace and beauty with the help of bangles that are available in a variety of forms. The artificial bangle industry  bring out bangles that sparkle in myriad hues. The Indian bangles continue the undiminished sway while the latest fashion trends are there on the way. The story never ends here. It goes on like the umpteen varieties of bangles that you see in festival grounds, bangle markets, and other fancy stores that lure the heart and soul of every Indian woman.

Located in the western interiors of the state of Uttar Pradesh, there is a quaint little town called Firozabad, which also goes by the name of SUHAAG NAGRI. The famous SADAR BAZAAR of Firozabad known for the clinking colorful bangles, but if we look closer you will see the horrific visual of little dwellers whose cries are hushed. The infamous ‘Child Labour Market’ where the slave trade still exists, and in this case, these slaves are little children. The glass and bangle industry of Firozabad is very big, and they give employment to over 500,000 men, women and children. Out of these,  a large number of workers is children. The treatment labours get in these bangle factories are abysmal. There are not treated as humans but machines. These small-scale units exploit their labours by making them work for long hours and depriving off their rights. They don’t adhere to the basic work environment rules and conditions and make these labourers work in is hazardous.
Children work because of poverty and to support and survival their families, so it is not an option but a necessity. Comparatively, children are often easy to be employed and exploited as they are not educated and are unaware of their rights.Child labour does not have the opportunity to go to school and get educated. Education entitlements are not accessible for them, the drop-out rate, especially of girls is very high. Thus, they grow up without qualification trapped in low wage jobs and in turn look to their own children to supplement the family’s income. Thus, continuing this whole cycle again.

Next time when you pick that mesmerizing glittering piece of glass, remember the effort gone into making it by some person sweating it out in an industry and value it for more than its beauty. 

Anees Jung in her story Lost Spring :Stories of Stolen Childhood has also mentioned about the grinding poverty and traditions which condemn these children to a life of exploitation.Many NGO's are working around the clock to reach as many children as they can and help them out. Initiatives like childfund are helping children in Firozabad .  NGOs like cry also have been working day in and day out to educate people about this issue. To rescue children stuck in this situation, the child line is made and is always alert. The police force is there to register cases. The voices of these children are not unheard anymore! 



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