A rejoinder to hon.union minister Shri Venkaiah Naidu

A rejoinder to hon.union minister Shri Venkaiah Naidu

Honourable Union Minister Shri Venkaiah Naidu’s recent statement that “like Hindu society which abolished practices like child marriage, dowry and sati, Muslims should mull over putting an end to the triple talaq divorce system” is not based on facts. While of course sati is not in practice now, child marriage continues and the evil dowry system is actually on the increase to a great extent particularly in States like Andhra Pradesh from where the minister hails.

Islam has prescribed rules for divorce. It is said that Allah’s kingdom is shaken when this ugly word is pronounced. Islamic scholars continue to discourage divorce and ask couples to follow a policy of give and take for a happy married life. This is the reason why Muslims have lower divorce rate. If we go to the family courts, we can see what is happening there to the couples seeking divorce. The less said the better.

Muslim men and women strongly believe that Islamic laws are the best safeguards for them. Triple talaq and polygamy are very rare among Muslims and in fact on the decrease. They are pained to see every Tom, Dick and Harry interfering in their internal affairs. If any reform is necessary, it should come from within the community in the light of the holy Quran and Ahadees. The Muslim personal law should continue to be in existence in our country.

Chennai Leather Market - April 2017

CHENNAI LEATHER MARKET

V M Khaleelur Rahman

Hong Kong Leather Fair

Quite a large number of people connected with the leather industry from Chennai and other parts of India attended the APLF leather and materials fair held from 29 to 31^st March 2017 in Hong Kong. There are reports of leading exporters having sold goat upper and lining leathers at almost the prevailing prices at around US 2.20 and 1.75 per sq. ft. respectively. It seems that only some highly reputed marks were on the move as in the present market customers are very particular about quality. Total business concluded during the fair was said to be considerable.

No doubt the popular Hong Kong leather fair provided a good opportunity for exporters, importers and others connected with the leather industry to exchange views on different issues facing them.     

AISHTHMA

The All India Skin & Hide Tanners & Merchants Association (AISHTMA), Chennai celebrated its Centenary year in a grand manner on 9^th March 2017 and signed MoU with three East African countries – Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda - for trade development.

Mr. M. Rafeeque Ahmed, President of Aishtma, explained in detail about the importance and necessity of cooperation and collaboration with these countries. He said that a high level delegation of Aishtma consisting of 10 members had visited these countries earlier, interacted with the leather fraternity there and paved the way for mutual co-operation.

Chennai Leather Market

In the Chennai leather market, business continues at around the following prices but volume of business done is not much.

Grain Selection: 5/8 sq. ft. Run Rs.95, Fifths Rs.80, Inf. Fifths Rs.70, LIF Rs.60,

Suede Selection: 4/6 sq. ft. Rs.47, 5/8 sq. ft. Rs.48

Lining Selection: 5/8 sq. ft. A Lining Rs.46, AB Lining Rs.44, ABC Lining Rs.42 and 4/6 sq. ft. ABC Lining Rs.42

Mesh Selection: 5/8 sq. ft. Rs.30

Cow and buffalo leathers, multi colours, export rejects are available in the market at around Rs.35.

All prices are per sq. ft.

Overseas Business

As regards overseas business, exporters here feel that there will be increase in demand as things cannot remain the same for long. This optimism is based on the inquiries received from European and Far East customers for different items of leather. Japanese importers are also slowly showing interest for sheep leathers.

Offers of exporters are at around the following prices:

S/C OR F/C GOAT LEATHERS

Material	Size/sq. ft.	Substance	Selection	Price US$ per sq. ft. C&F
Goat upper leather	4/7	0.6/0.8 mm	ABC/DE	2.20/1.70
Goat milled leather	4/7	0.6/0.8 mm	TR-1	1.75
Goat suede leather	4/7 5/8	0.6/0.8 mm 0.6/0.8 mm	All Suede	2.00 2.10
Goat lining leather	4/7	0.5/0.7 mm	TR-1	1.70
	6/9	0.6/0.8 mm	TR-1	1.80

F/C SHEEP LEATHERS

Material	Size/sq.ft.	Substance	Selection	Price US$ per sq. ft. C&F
Sheep Cabretta leather	4/7	0.6/0.8 mm	ABC	2.00
Sheep Cabretta leather	6/9	0.8/1.00 mm	ABC	2.10
Sheep lining leather	4/7 5/9	0.5/0.7 mm 0.6/0.8 mm	TR-1 TR-1	1.60 1.70

                                     

(Writer’s e-mail id: vmk1234@yahoo.com)