KARACHI: As authorities have banned the production, sale and use of festive instrument called vuvuzela, or honking toy horns, which is also referred to as baja in common parlance, because of its loud noise and deleterious effects on human health, a small family-run enterprise associated with its production on the outskirts of the city has suffered a crippling blow, which has pushed them out of business.

From being a subject of memes to common pranks through WhatsApp, the annoying horn has always received blatant hatred. Recently, the government has imposed a ban under Section 190 (C) of the criminal procedure code on manufacture, sale and use of the instrument for causing public nuisance.

Dawn has discovered that they were being made at a home-based factory in the suburbs, which has now become non-operational after the imposition of the ban.

Situated in the heart of Steel Town, if you walk 15 minutes ahead of Steel Mills, you’ll find a small space, which was run by Hafiz Naseer Ahmed, who especially manufactured these plastic horns on account of country’s birthday, with a team of not more than 12 labourers.

Speaking to Dawn the 67-year-old gentleman said that he had been associated with this work for the past 40 years.

“My wife Parveen Begum used to make these at home. She would collect the little whistles and make bajas out of colourful card papers. She is very creative and she knows a great deal of paper art. Initially, she would paste the little whistles on card paper and fold them into little cones. We used to sell them for Rs12 to children in our neighbourhood. Gradually, the demand increased. She started adding more colours and patterns into them,” Mr Ahmed said.

At his two-storey factory, they had 12 labourers on the ground floor, including four women. The women’s section was responsible for picking colours and shopping around for accessories necessary for making the horns. The male labourers were there for operating the machinery.

The equipment was not heavy-duty, and whenever electricity was an issue, they resorted to the hand-making process.

“I have been working with Parveen Baji for the last 10 years. She was the first one to welcome me when I stepped into this mohalla after my wedding. I needed work, and back then, Hafiz Bhai and Baji just initiated the business. They asked me to work with them and I agreed. My work primarily involved folding plastic sheets into shapes and then thinking of good designs to incorporate into it,” 30-year-old Seema said as she sorted the colourful sheets in front of her.

Alongside Ms Seema, there were other women who used to assist her when the factory was operational, and it was a way of income for these women.

“I just wanted to help my husband out with finances initially. But when I started making these, I rediscovered my love for crafts. Before marriage, I used to do paper art in my leisure time. I would make paper flowers, decoration pieces, birthday hats, and other things. On Independence Day, I would make paper flags and tiny cards every year for kids living in my neighbourhood, and it was so satisfying,” Ms Parveen told Dawn.

“I prefer having women in our team because I know how important financial independence is. Men are responsible to run the households, yes, but women here are also willing to help them to build a better life for their families,” she said.

Throughout the process, Ms Parveen was fully involved suggesting things here and there while making sure the work was smooth.

Meanwhile, Mr Ahmed was seen in the men’s section, dealing with vendors and labourers.

“This ban has affected the source of income of the labourers who are associated with it,” he said.

These colourful horns showed the community’s spirit and hard work. With each piece they created, they shared their skills and a sense of togetherness.

However, keeping small manufacturers concerns in view, there must be some alternative way to resume the creative process of the small businesses.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2023