Clay coolers to help beat a torrid summer

Mahasamund (Chhattisgarh), May 1 : Earthenware water filters and small sized refrigerators made by potters in Chhattisgarh are proving to be the ideal and affordable means to beat the scorching heat as mercury levels rise.

Earthenware cooling products made by potters in Badora Village of Mahasamund district do not require electricity and are affordable too.

These earthenware products are selling like hot cakes as the mercury soars.

It takes two weeks to make these earthenware water filters and fridges as the pots are first made and then heated till they turn black and after it cools down an outer coat are applied to it.

Skilled potters residing in the village have traded earthenware products at Badora market for the past 17 years and this is their only source of livelihood.

According to Khaduram Chakradari Kumar, a skilled potter who makes the earthenware-cooling product, "We make filters and we make them light, thus the mixture of clay is made lighter. We pour water into it and there is a filter like object in it. In the fridge, we make two containers, a small to store edibles and the other to keep water. People undergo training for three months to make these products."

The government has provided five acres of land for the family of the potters residing in the village under the self-employment scheme. These potters are trained by the government.

Foodstuff kept in these earthen pots remains fresh for one week and earthen water filter keeps the water pure and cool.

These locally made earthenware-cooling products are affordable as they are made from natural material like clay, coal and cattle feed (bhusi).

"I got it from the market at rupees 150 each. We benefit a lot from these earthenware products as the filter purifies and at the same time cools the water. Middle class people cannot afford a refrigerator, therefore we get the earthenware fridge to store vegetables and fruits so that they stay cool and do not get spoilt," said Laxmi Sharma, a resident.

These earthenware refrigerators and filters are widely used as they are economical and save electricity and are environmental friendly to boot.

ANI