Farmers Movement Archive

Delhi: Slogans that stick with you, literally

NEW DELHI: When the tractors of farmers rolled in 20 days ago at Singhu border, they were sparkling clean. Over time, they have been plastered with stickers carrying slogans regarding the stir. Nirala, a 26-year-old from Narela, decided to cash in on the opportunity. In addition to his business of selling lights, he started producing stickers based on demand with slogans written on them in both English and Gurmukhi. For Gurmukhi script, the farmers write the slogan on a piece of paper and Nirala prints it for them. One of the most popular stickers in Nirala’s wooden shop is the one saying, “We are farmers, not terrorists”. Farmers, both young and old, have been coming to the shop for the slogan printed in white on black or red background. His small cutting plotter machine has been continuously in motion. “My machine is now coming to good use. I print whatever the farmers want. Some want it for sticking on tractors, others for their T-shirts,” said Nirala, who goes to Kashmere Gate to buy the sticker paper. “I have been selling 15-20 such stickers daily. I charge very little compared with the market price,” he added. Gurpreet Singh, who wanted a sticker written in Gurmukhi for his jacket, said, “I want him to write ‘Under the shadow of Satguru’. God is always with people who are right and we farmers are fighting for our rights.” He already had the “terrorist” sticker stuck on his T-shirt. Amarjeet Singh, who wanted the same sticker to paste it on his tractor, said, “I had been wanting it for long. I never got them whenever they came to distribute it. Thankfully, this shop is printing it.” Other popular stickers included “I love kheti” with a large heart emoticon in between and “Proud farmer” with a curled moustache design.

The Times of India

2020-12-18

Delhi