- Firozabad is the hub of glass bangles as the industry is valued around Rs 10,000 crores
- But, it is stagnating due to incessant exploitation of labour and lack of enforcement of regulatory mechanism
- Time has come when other clusters of bangle making be identified and provided with incentives
In spite of west-led modernisation attempting to throw out traditions from India, the charm of cultural symbols has not died down. Instead, they are reappearing in new forms or shapes. Bangles being one of the oldest choices of Indian women still hog the limelight on more occasions than one. But, for the past few years, lack of regulatory oversight on the processes of making it is threatening the existence of the Firozabad bangle industry, possibly the biggest hub of raw bangles in India.
Firozabad’s connection to bangles
Located near Agra, Firozabad is known for Bangles, especially Glass Bangles. Varying claims indicate that Firozabad has been producing them for at least 200 years. The process kicked off with rejected glass articles melted in a locally made furnace called “Bhanisa Bhatti”. Needless to say, wood and coal were used as fuel for Bhattis.
Initially, glasses were coloured and put to use in jhad, fanus (Chandelier) and other decorative elements of royal courts and havelis. Soon, locally made Kadas, Kangans and bangles started to gain......
