In the remote town of Gasa, people are facing a dearth of cobbler shops. With no dedicated place to repair or mend footwear, residents are left with no option but to discard their shoes at the first sign of wear and tear. Some of the residents said they travel to Punakha which is about a 70-kilometre drive for even minor repairs.
The growth of Gasa town remains limited, with about twenty shops.
While the business sector is recovering from the setbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the absence of a cobbler shop remains a pressing concern.
Residents said if a cobbler shop is established, it would provide a much-needed service, allowing footwear to be repaired instead of discarded over minor tears.
“In Gasa town, there are almost three thousand people including civil servants. Having a cobbler shop here would be immensely beneficial. We could promptly repair torn footwear,” said Tashi, Rimi Tshogpa of Khatoed Gewog.
“Our footwear is left unrepaired. Once shoes develop tears, we are left with no choice but to discard leather shoes and slippers. We cannot afford to go to Punakha and Thimphu just to repair it,” said Dawa Tenzin, Monk from Gasa Rabdey.
“There are many students here. So, for even minor tears we have to discard it and buy a new pair of shoes,” said Sangay Tashi, Khatoed Mangmi.
According to the District’s Planning Officer Tashi Dhendup, the government has provided several entrepreneurship training in Gasa but after the training, participants are hesitant to establish business in the town due to less population.
He added that those trained people prefer to start their businesses in other districts.
“We have provided training. But to start a business, it depends on the person’s capability and convenience. So, that was the reason why a cobbler shop was not started here.”
So, it is clear that there would not be any cobbler shop in the current town given the bleak business prospect.
As such, residents can only hope that the situation will improve when the town is relocated to the new town area at Kolikha.
Changa Dorji, Gasa
Edited by Tshering Zam
