Ferozabad people, breathe glass not air

The glass indsutry in Ferozabad produces goods worth 217 million dollars a year, and more than half of it is exported.

About 400 glass industries are registered in Ferozabad, which make different types of glass products. They use natural gas instead of coal.

It is said people of Ferozabad breathe glass, not air. Despite their fluctuating business the quality of bangles has never been allowed to suffer.

"There is not much profit in the business any more but we are happy with the end product. We are proud of making this. There is never any problem of labourers," says Rajendra Sharma, a bangle-seller.

The bangle industry started 100 years ago in this small district, after the cotton and indigo farming failed due to a famine. Since then, the industry has steadily grown Glass products from Ferozabad, mainly bangles, because of being popular in all parts of the country. Now, the glass industry of Ferozabad has been meeting export orders from neighbouring countries and also from Europe and the United States.

"Earlier, we faced a lot of problems but since we were provided with gas, situation has improved . The sales have also increased. Even the foreign buyers have increased. Now we have an upper hand as compared to the bangle-makers from Bangladesh and Pakistan,"says Ram Niwas Gupta, another bangle-seller.

Ferozabad is considered the home of the glass industry. White and coloured glass pieces are being manufactured for assembling chandeliers that were in demand even in the past in royal courts and houses of nobles for decorating their drawing rooms.