By Shiva Shankar Mishra
Bara, Jan. 30: Craftsmen in Kalaiya Sub-metropolitan City have been earning a decent amount of money by making various sculptures of gods and goddesses.
Ram Kishor Ram, 32, of Baraiya Tole in Kalaiya Sub-metropolitan City-7, said, “By moving to the urban areas, we have been making a good income by selling idols of Saraswoti, Bishwakarma, Durga, and Ganesh among others according to the season.”
Ram said that he had aimed to earn more than Rs. 100,000 by selling more than 30 idols of Goddess Saraswoti this time. “Agreement has been made to sell each idol at least at Rs. 2,000 to 5, 000,” he added.
School and college students mark Saraswati Puja that falls on February 16 this year with much fanfare.
“I have been managing my family of eight members by selling the clay idols for the last eight years. I haven’t learned sculpting from anyone. After not finding employment opportunities, I started this business out of my interest,” he added.
Likewise, Surendra Prasad of Kalaiya-1 was able to sell over 50 sculptures of goddess Saraswoti this year. Prasad has been keeping himself busy all day and night in making idols to earn over Rs. 100,000 in a month.
Similarly, Naresh Baitha of Parsa Dhobini Gaunpalika-6 has formed a team of three to make idols. “We have aimed to sell over 100 idols and earn over Rs. 300,000 this year,” he said. 
“Daily, new agreements are being signed with the students of government and private schools to sell the idols of goddess Saraswoti worth Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 25,000 each,” added Baitha.
Kamalesh Mahato of Bhikhampur’s family has been living off by selling sculptures at Ranighat. “From this business, I have been able to send my two daughters and a son to private school,” said Mahato.
Not only Mahato, Ram, and Baitha, many Nepali and Indian craftsmen in Kalaiya, Birgunj, and other areas have been relying on sculpting to make a living.
They have been able to set an example that foreign employment is not the only option to ensure decent income. With much hard work and less investment, one can earn well here in Nepal.