Kurigram Correspondent :
‘Qurbani’ – the religious obligation and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha. For the blacksmiths in Kurigram the period ahead of Eid-ul-Azha is a time of lucrative earnings as sale of their hand-made knives and choppers has soared while there is also a rush for sharpening the old ones. Blacksmiths here are busy now making necessary tools used for animal slaughter and meat processing during the upcoming Eid-ul -Azha. They are working day and night. Road side, under the Old large trees, old buildings and near market sides, is the hub of the artisans. Mukul Miah one of the blacksmiths spoke about the business to this correspondent as he sat in front of his small shop which is situated beside Kurigram Chilmari road , busy in sharpening a ‘ chopper’ made of solid iron for Tk. 550.”These are the exceptional days for us as we do sufficient business, much more than the other times throughout the year,” said Bijoy, a blacksmith of Rajarhat Upazila bazar under Kurigram. Sharing his experience, he said mostly people buy a set consisting of one big knife to slaughter animal, one small to take off skin and a chopper to cut the meat into pieces, costing Tk.300 to 700, depending on quality.Due to availability of modern tools and multiple increases of coal prices, blacksmiths are facing economic hardship from decreased sale of their iron products.
