"Ringal is cheaper than plastic," Luxmi says. "You can buy a ringal basket for Rs.50 and it will last you six to seven years. A plastic one costs double...but people still buy them because they think it is fashionable and modern. We use ringal baskets in our home. They are much better looking than plastic things."
More than 10,000 artisans make their living by making bamboo and ringal products in the state. Recently, bamboo products are becoming increasingly popular amongst higher-income groups in European countries, and trade in these products is growing at a fast pace because of the decline in timber production. Bamboo is used today to make everything from medicinal teas to roofing sheets.
Luxmi hopes that ringal will remain an integral part of the everyday life of her community and others in Uttarakhand, such that the artisans and their trade are not replaced by a culture of plastic. To watch more of Luxmi's video on more such issues of Uttarakhand, click here
Fighting for Change: The Story of Bihar-Based Journalist Amir Abbas
Inspiration can come from many sources, but one of the most powerful is seeing someone walk the path before you. Our Community Correspondent, Syed Amir Abbas found his inspiration in Stalin K., the founding director of Video Volunteers. “I met Stalin at VV’s national meet in 2017 and I...
The torch bearer of rights for marginalized tribals of Odisha
If you ask Video Volunteers’ Community Correspondent Bideshini Patel to rate her childhood on a scale of 1-10, she would probably give it a negative marking due to the neglect and abuse she faced. But if you ask her to evaluate her professional life as an impactful journalist, resolving basic...