Kundapur: Women Engaged in Catching Prawn Shrink into Oblivion
Aishwarya Beejady
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (RD)
Kundapur, Mar 3: Prawn is a coastal delicacy, an exotic item in seafood cuisine. It's a favourite among many, but sadly, those who get into the waters and take the trouble to catch the prawn, go unsung and unrecognized, their hard work fading into oblivion while their catch receives all the attention.
It is a sad fact that women engaged in the traditional occupation of catching prawns across the taluk are facing an uncertain future.
These women who are engaged in the activity when the waters in rivulets recede during summer are not recognized in the fisheries sector. A majority of them are Dalit women engaged in this task to earn their livelihood. It is significant that these women don’t use any nylon nets and gather the prawns by diving into the water.
These adventurous poor women carry out their occupation in a rivulet - Yedamavinahole to Varahi river across the taluk, as the summer season sets in and water levels in rivulets recede gradually.
"I have been engaged in this task for many years. I carry on since it sustains my living. The diving is dangerous at times. The state administration has to take note of our problems," says Kamala, a woman engaged in the activity.
"The women engaged in catching prawns lack state recognition and lead uncertain lives. State support is essential for their sustenance,” says Shekar Chatrabettu, a local.
A few women venture into rivulets as the water levels recede, holding an earthen pot in one hand and diving to gather prawns. It's a common scene in rivulets during the summer season. Sadly, they are a neglected lot.