Jamshedpur : With the winters setting in, a group of Tibetans traders from the hilly terrain of Himachal Pradesh have descended to Steel City in order to earn a living.
However, lack of chill in the weather has increased the woes of the traders. Though the make shift woollen market started functioning at Golmuri in November itself, the traders complained that due to warmer weather they have been unable to register good sales this season.
The Tibetans in exile come with stocks of woolen garments and jackets and earn a decent livelihood during their four to six months long stay.
The group of Tibetans, from last 40 years has been coming in the city with their stock of woollen garments and jackets host of other products. This time too the 60-odd stalls lined up in the Golmuri circus ground have been decked up with trendy and designer woollen clothes in radiant colours.
The group, dressed in their traditional attire, said that the global warming and slump in economy has added to their woes. Their business has been badly affected due to changing weather conditions.
It may be mentioned that Jamshedpur is witnessing a maximum temperature of average 30-32 degree Celsius, which is equally warmer.
�I have been coming to the city from past ten years. I have witnessed that weather has changed a lot. Earlier October end used to make people shiver but now in mid December people hardly require woollen clothes,� said Yeshi.
He went on to add that earlier they used to come in the city in October but this time due to warmer climate they were forced to set up the market only in November.
�Our quality of the woollen clothes is guaranteed and people have been coming here for a long time. Their goodwill is known to all as we have something new every year people look forward to us.
However due to recession and warmer climate our market has witnessed dip in footfalls this season,� said Sangay, one of the sellers.
Members have come from Bangalore, parts of South India, Himachal Pradesh, Uttranchal and Orissa. The number of members who come for doing business is decided last year itself. There is no contact in between and once a decision is taken, it is not revoked.
Among the winter stock this year, jackets is the rage of the season. Leather jackets in different designs have been put for sale.
The stuff is not only good but the price is also very competitive and affordable by all.
�We wait for the entire year to do the business during the winter and leave by the beginning of March next year. But times have changed now we have to re-planed our schedule this season,� noted another trader.
