Sari presented to Sonia could do well for weavers

The gift wrapped handloom sari that Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee presented to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi has brought hope to the weavers of Dhaniakhali in West Bengal's Hooghly district.

The dhanikhali sari, as it is known, is a favourite with Mamata, who picked up quite a few while campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections.

The sari that Mamata bought for Gandhi may give recognition to the weavers and could garner them business, especially if Gandhi also starts wearing it, the artists said.

Weavers have fallen on difficult times because of lack of government attention, they said. "Our lot could change if Mamata ensures that we are better paid," they said.