,     DECEMBER 2012 BACK ISSUE Once upon a time families created the finest saris on their handlooms, but that time has gone.  Modern factories have taken over this precious work which has left only the weaving of towels to insure families their income at 10 RPS a piece. The saying, ‘the curse of modern technology’ is so true for the villagers of Rajgram in Bankura, district of West Bengal. Rajgram is a small village of nearly forty families of weavers.  A few years ago I had to go to Bankura for one day for my work.  Whilst waiting for my train I had time to spend in the village. There was a time when these people were happily living with their weaving profession. Nowadays they cannot even purchase their own thread and have to take thread from a creditor. No longer weaving saris, they are confined to producing pairs of towels, a task that can take a whole day, for just 20 rupees.  In order to survive it is only the women and the old men who stay in the village to weave whilst the young men are forced to leave in search of other work, such as rickshaw pulling. by Apratim Saha This man had changed his profession from weaver to rickshaw puller. He took me around Rajgram. Once, one of the best weavers from the village. Now he is almost entirely deaf and blind.  His government pension had been stopped for an unknown reason when I visited.  I hope he can survive. Preparing for a cock fight. Back to current issue