Traditional craft fades in Banke amid modern appliances

Traditional artisans in Banke face severe challenges as electrical appliances gain popularity in urban and rural households. Arjun Kuchbadhiya, a resident of Indrapur, explained that sales of manually crafted grindstones and traditional ropes have sharply dropped because homeowners now rely on electrical mixers and milling machines. Makers of these stone tools must source their raw materials from across the border. According to community members, the specific stones required for grinding tools do not exist domestically, forcing artisans to purchase them from Bahraich in India at a cost of one hundred and fifty Indian rupees per stone. Local artisans state that plastic cords have largely displaced traditional jute ropes, further reducing their livelihood options. Meena Kuchbadhiya mentioned that vendors frequently return empty-handed from selling trips because residents state they already own modern spice-grinding equipment. Official records from local governance indicate that hundreds of individuals receive social security benefits within the community. Settlements of this artisan population are located in specific areas including Indrapur in Janaki Rural Municipality alongside Phultekra and Gayatrinagar.