Aruna Bags

Out here in Narayanapuram Mandal, specifically in Puttapaka, we have a small place where we make bags. Our address is H.No.:10-55/1. It’s basically a converted part of the house where we’ve set up several sewing machines. The sound of the needles clicking is something you get used to pretty quickly. We have a few local women who come in to help with the stitching and cutting. We use all sorts of fabrics that we get from the nearby markets. It’s not a big factory with assembly lines. It’s more of a traditional way of doing things. We have rolls of cloth stacked against the walls and threads of every color imaginable hanging from hooks. Sometimes we are making simple shopping bags, and other times it’s something a bit more detailed. It’s a busy house, especially when we have a big order to finish by the weekend. We don't have a fancy store front. Most of our bags are sent off to other shops or sold to people who know us. Puttapaka is a place where many people do this kind of work, so we are just one of many families keeping the tradition going. It’s a way for us to earn a living while staying close to home. We just keep our heads down and keep the machines running from morning until the sun goes down.