Asia's largest mentha oil market
In Asia’s largest mentha oil market in Sambal, traders say that demonetization and fluctuating dollar, besides local issues like decreasing ground water table have hit them and the farmers. About 500,000 people are associated with this trade that involves growing mentha grass, extraction of oil and its export. The oil is an essential ingredient in pharmaceuticals, perfumes, tooth paste, chocolates, and cigarettes and almost in everything that needs a cooling and freshness agent.
Even while admitting the demonetization as a painful step, Pilu Jain, president of mentha oil traders association, prefers to praise Modi, its perpetrator, for his strong image. Another trader Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, an Aligarh university alumnus and chemistry graduate, says the note ban has hit his trade badly.
At a distance from this market is Mohallah Sarai Tareen in the heart of Sambhal town, known for horn and bone craft manufacturing. Some 40,000 artisans in filthy surroundings are engaged in transforming soiled bones and animal horns into world class ornaments. Abdul Wahid engaged in the trade for over past 35 years says politicians during elections promise them an uninterrupted power supply, but the plastic combs and Chinese goods were killing his trade. “I purchase an animal horn for 80 Indian rupees ($1.14) from a trader and then after finishing and working on it for over 10-15 hours, the ornament sells for a meagre 150 Indian rupees ($2.14),” he says.
Having inhaled bone dust over all these years, Wahid is a chronic asthma patient. “Banks want us to produce endless identities and papers and I am not sure, even after arranging all these things, if I can then repay loans,” says Wahid, who vouches for the secular alliance candidate, feeling that he identifies with the poor.
In Moradabad, where 50% population is associated with brass trade, small-time politicians assemble in street corners late evenings. They are seeking votes in the name of defeating the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but without spelling an economic agenda. “Brassware as a cottage industry is on its last breath. But it has no effect on big time exporters and manufacturers. They have put up factories and employed labour rather outsourcing work to our artisans,” says Mohammad Mostaqee, a local journalist and activist.
Famed cricketer turned politician Mohammad Azharuddin had won elections here in 2009. Interestingly, Azharudin hails from South Indian city of Hyderabad, but it was his Turkish descent that prompted his candidature in this North Indian constituency to entice the Turkish descent population. He belongs to Tirklu Turkish sub-tribe, says Hafeezu Rahman. Locals, however, say, he forgot soon his constituency after his victory.