Warehouse of Tibetan sweater sellers totally gutted by fire
DHARAMSALA 5 Sept: A warehouse of Tibetan sweater sellers in Dhule, Maharastra has been gutted by a massive fire.
The unfortunate incident occurred at the warehouse during the wee hours of Sunday.
The Fire apparently broke out due to a short circuit that incurred damage worth Rs 265 Lakhs.
The incident has left the livelihood of 12 Tibetan household from Puruwala and Dickyiling Tibetan settlement in the lurch as they have taken loans from banks and sweater merchants to make a living during the soon to start winter business season.
To make the matter worse, the warehouse does not have insurance.
The 12 Tibetan household from Puruwala and Dickyiling Tibetan settlement like scores of Tibetans from settlements across India travel across India during winter to sell sweaters and other garments made from wool and depend on the profits to make their ends meet throughout the year.
The seasonal hosiery trade accounts for approximately 45% of the primary source of income of the Tibetan exile community in India according to the Central Tibetan Administration.
Phurbu, the president of the Tibetan Sweater Seller’s Association has estimated the damage amounting to Rs 2,65,19,661 after a thorough examination.
Following the mishap, Tsering Choedon, a Tibetan from El Cerrito, a city in California, US has set up a go fund me page to raise fund for the victims of the mishap.
“I am trying to help raise funds for my friends and family in the Tibetan refugee settlement of Puruwala India that lost everything on September 1 in a devastating early morning fire,” she said on the for-profit crowdfunding platform.
Meanwhile, Tibetans from Puruwala who have moved to New York have announced to set up a donation table in Jackson Heights on Saturday and Sunday to assist the affected families.
