Bamboo roots turn beautiful handicrafts

People are bewildered to see the products made of the roots of bamboo which goes either rotten or as fuel wood. It is difficult to recognise the products in different size and shapes made by bamboo roots.

Bagalamukhi Handicrafts Centre- Jhapa has found a significant number of customers for its bamboo root products which largely draws attention of passing by customers, pedestrians. The company had showcased its products in recently held Lumbini Festival. Visitors had paid large attention to their products; it was a surprise to the visitors that such wonderful handicrafts can be made out of bamboo roots.

"So many people ask that such beautiful things can be made by bamboo roots"- says Binanjaya Thapa, young entrepreneur of Bagalamukhi Handicrafts Centre. He further says various social and business organisations have offered them to provide skill development training to the people.

Tilth with various bamboo bushes with hard work and dedication, handicrafts shaped in various creatures like human beings, birds, God and demons have smitten people of various walks of life. Thapa says" Our products are little bit expensive than those of wooden handicrafts because we have to work very hard on but there is large attraction to our products made by local chemical which are eco-friendly."

Inspired by brother in-law Sanjaya Pradhan, Thapa is engaged in this profession since last eight years dumping his certificates and diplomas of auto mechanics earned in Bangalore. He is selling his products worth of Rs 200,000 to the markets of Kathmandu, Pokhara and aboard as well. "Our products have been exported to Japan, Canada, Australia, America, and Europe"- Thapa says.

He also informed that handicrafts made by his company ranges from Rs 40 to Rs 100,000. He further said happily that he had sold a chariot of Lord Sri Krishna made by bamboo roots to Bhaktapur Metropolitancity which fetched him Rs 100,000.

"In the beginning, we had difficulty but as of now our sales are increasing gradually and I am hopeful and optimistic because we are facing difficulty to deliver orders because of pressure from the buyers."- Thapa further says.

His company Bagalamukhi Handicrafts Centre has been awarded as first company to of its kind in Asia.

People usually want monopoly in their profession and business but his opinion is quite different in this matter. "We want others to set up this kind of business and earn money through our local products which are being wasted"- Thapa says. He also informed that his company has provided training to the people in Damauli and Dhankuta. "If people are interested to learn with us, we are happy to provide them training in other parts of the country as well"- he said.

Because of his company, the farmers in eastern region are attracted to bamboo cultivation. Farmers have been largely benefited by the company. The company which is a pride of the nation has been providing employment to more than 180 people.