The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has sent shockwaves far beyond the Middle East, reaching the heart of Bihar’s silk industry in Bhagalpur. Known as India’s ‘Silk City,’ this bustling district is now grappling with a severe downturn as orders worth ₹20-25 crore have been abruptly canceled. Once alive with the relentless hum of looms operating 18 hours a day, the weaving sheds now echo with an eerie silence, limited to just 5-6 hours of sporadic activity.
Bhagalpur’s silk sarees and fabrics have long been prized in international markets, exported via major hubs like Delhi and Kolkata to destinations across the globe. However, the brewing war tensions, coupled with U.S. involvement and the ripple effects across over 10 Gulf nations, have frozen shipments and instilled fear among traders. The uncertainty has choked supply chains, leaving weavers staring at idle machines and mounting losses.
In Champanagar, the epicenter of Bhagalpur’s silk trade where nearly every household houses a loom, over 50% of operations have ground to a halt. Local weaver Hemant Kumar shares a grim tale: ‘We were still recovering from the inflation spikes post-COVID, and now this war has broken our backs.’ His unit alone has lost orders worth ₹50-60 lakh, a microcosm of the industry’s ₹25 crore setback.
Weaver Alok Kumar laments the lack of government attention. ‘Every major global conflict hits us first,’ he says, highlighting delays in payments, stalled shipments, and a pervasive atmosphere of dread. With thousands of families dependent on this cottage industry, the prolonged instability threatens livelihoods on an unprecedented scale.
As flames of war flicker thousands of kilometers away, their heat is scorching Bhagalpur’s looms. Without swift normalization, the Silk City’s legacy and the sustenance of countless households hang in precarious balance.