Nabarangpur: As the festival of lights draws near, markets across Odisha sparkle with the gleam of electric diyas, colourful LEDs, and scented candles.

But in the quiet lanes of Belgaon village under Jharigaon block in Nabarangpur district, the flicker of another kind of light still endures — the humble clay lamp, moulded patiently by the calloused hands of potter families fighting to keep their centuries-old craft alive.

Once, the rhythmic sound of spinning potter wheels and the earthy scent of wet clay defined the identity of this village.

Nearly 60 potter families earned their livelihood through the sale of hand-crafted lamps, pots, and household items.

But today, fewer than half remain in the trade. The rest have moved on — some to daily wage labour, others to small businesses — d

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