Vikas
Kumar (32), a supervisor in Tegh Knitting Private Limited in Sonepat, migrated
from Kanpur 15 years ago. Unable to afford higher education himself, he wanted
to provide the best education possible for his daughter, Divyanshi. He earns
around ₹15,000 a month from his
12-hour shift, but Vikas’ dream is now under threat. The factory recently
issued a closure notice. It will shut down in two months because of a sharp
decline in demand for its products.
Rakesh
(48), has four children and a mentally challenged wife. An agrarian crisis made
him move from his village in Sultanpur to Delhi in 1998. As a machine operator
he earns ₹12,000 a month.
“Nothing
much is left in the village and the cost of living here is high. Without a
decent job our existence is at risk,” he said.
Devender
Singh “Bullu” (29) is a machine operator. “I’ve been working here 11 years, and
knitting is the only skill I possess. I miss my wife and son who are alone in
the village in Bihar, all dependent on me. After the shutdown, I’ll be doing
odd jobs.”
Joginder
Singh Bagga (78), a retired army officer from Punjab, lost his only son 17
years ago in a road accident. Since then, he’s worked as a factory guard to
deal with his grief. “I don’t need a job to support me and my wife. But I can’t
see myself being away from this factory because the moment I’m jobless memories
of my son will return.”
Tegh
Knitting is one of the biggest Raschel knit producers. Once it closes, it’s
possible that other businesses too will exit. Machine operators are skilled
workers but closure will render their specialisation useless.


Tegh Knitting, a
Raschel knit textile producer in Sonepat in National Capital Region is due to
shut down after a collapse of demand in the international market.

Maintenance supervisor
Vikas Kumar (32).

Vikas’s dream of
educating Divyanshi in one of Delhi’s
best schools is in peril after the shutdown notice.

Shrawan, Rakesh’s six-year-old son.


Once Tegh closes other
knitting businesses may exit.

Devender Singh ‘Bullu’
(29) says Raschel knitting is the only skill he has. The best he can hope for
is odd jobs after closure.

In a couple of months,
there will be no Tegh Knitting, closing one more avenue for productive work.