DHAKA: Island-locality Zinzira is famous as ‘Japan of Bengal’, ‘second Japan’ or ‘Made in Zinzira’.
Administratively it is a union under Keraniganj upazila of Dhaka district and as a place Zinzira has got those adjectives during the last 30/40 years.
Although Zinzira was a one of the main commercial centers of Dhaka during the Mughal, British and Pakistan period, after the liberation it became more involved in commercial productions.
At the time, Zinzira almost became unparallel in producing all kinds of hardware accessories, melamine, toiletries and many more. Apart from this, the allegation rose that Zinzira’s mechanics are making duplicate copy of different brand products.
In this regard Zinzira’s mechanics claim that mechanics from other areas of Dhaka made duplicate products abusing their name.
However, the locality still is not free from the allegation of producing fake, duplicate brand products.
Zinzira’s mechanics Japan who is at present famous in the world for various products, once also used to make fake products following others’ design.
They have succeeded coming to the present stage as their government recognizing their talents patronized them.
The mechanics claimed that if the government provided proper assistance, recognizing Zinzira’s mechanics’ talent, to the small industries developed here independent and separately, Zinzira would make products equivalent to Korea’s quality.
The heart of Dhaka’s commerce Zinzira advancement was halted during the 80s of the last century due to the ‘bad name’ created.
In this regard Keraniganj’s veteran journalist Saiful Islam said, “All those are told about Zinzira are not true. It is one kind of propaganda.”
Officer-in-Charge of Keraniganj Thana Main Uddin Khan, in this respect, said, “I have heard from people that many days ago fake products were produced here, but nothing of that kind happens now.”
Local people said efficiency of the mechanics of Zinzira has not decreased by time. It is nothing wrong to produce quality products in line of foreign products.
The tin produced by our mechanics from plain sheet using machines worth Tk 20,000 to Tk 30,000 is not bad in quality. In Japan, project worth crores of money is adopted to produce this kind of tin.
Zinzira’s freedom fighter and veteran politician Selim Ahmed said, “The bad name of producing fake products has hampered Zinzira’s prestige. At present nothing fake is produced here. We want to get rid of this.”
Various small industries of Zinzira have developed into potential industries. Besides, fulfilling local demand, these small industries of Zinzira are contributing to national economy by earning foreign money.
Although several industries including Zinzira’s Kaliganj’s garments and Joypara’s saree industries have developed in Zinzira and total growth is being hampered due to lack of electricity and gas supply.
BDST: 2107 HRS, DEC 20, 2011
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