Handmade Badminton Shuttlecocks in India’s Jodhubaria Village

In India’s Jodhubaria village, craftspeople have been making badminton shuttlecocks by hand for generations. The process involves 16 white duck feathers, carefully selected, cleaned, and trimmed to exact specifications.

The Manufacturing Process

Feathers are washed in soapy water and rinsed to clean them.
A natural indigo dye is applied to give the feathers a subtle tint.
Feathers are sorted, trimmed to 3 inches long, and shaped with a curved edge on one side and a straight edge on the other.
Cork bases are imported from China and drilled with 16 holes.
Feathers are glued into the base, overlapping each other, and bound together with thread.
A thin coat of epoxy is applied to the base and threads for added security.

Challenges Facing the Industry

The rise of synthetic shuttlecocks and foreign competition has forced many small factories in Jodhubaria to close, with workers leaving to find higher-paying jobs. The handmade approach means small places like Dodo Shuttles can’t make as much product or profit as major global brands that use machines.

The Future of Feathered Shuttlecocks

The Badminton World Federation has announced that approved synthetic shuttlecocks will be allowed at all levels of competition starting in 2021, but the coronavirus pandemic has delayed widespread development and approval. For the workers who rely on feathered shuttlecocks, there’s no substitute for the real thing.

Key Vocabulary

Term	Definition	Example Usage
Shuttlecocks	Small, feathered or synthetic projectiles used in the sport of badminton.	The factory produces high-quality shuttlecocks for professional badminton players.
Duck Feathers	Feathers from ducks, often used in the production of shuttlecocks due to their unique properties.	The craftspeople carefully select and clean 16 white duck feathers for each shuttlecock.
Indigo Dye	A natural dye used to give feathers a subtle tint or color.	The feathers are treated with a natural indigo dye to enhance their appearance.
Cork Base	The foundation or base of a shuttlecock, typically made from cork and drilled with holes for the feathers.	The cork base is imported from China and drilled with 16 holes for the feathers.
Epoxy	A type of strong adhesive used to bond materials together, often applied as a coating for added security.	A thin coat of epoxy is applied to the base and threads of the shuttlecock for added durability.
Synthetic Shuttlecocks	Shuttlecocks made from artificial materials, designed to mimic the performance of traditional feathered shuttlecocks.	The rise of synthetic shuttlecocks has led to a decline in demand for handmade, feathered shuttlecocks.
Badminton World Federation	The international governing body for the sport of badminton, responsible for setting rules and regulations.	The Badminton World Federation has announced that approved synthetic shuttlecocks will be allowed at all levels of competition.

Watch The Video

How A Village Keeps India’s Handmade Shuttlecock Industry Alive | Still Standing

Vocabulary Quiz

1. Which word means ‘a color with a slight blue tone, often used for dyeing’?

A) Epoxy
B) Indigo
C) Synthetic
D) Subtle

2. What does ‘trimmed to exact specifications’ mean in the context of making badminton shuttlecocks?

A) Cutting the feathers to any length
B) Sorting the feathers by color
C) Cutting the feathers to a precise length and shape
D) Washing the feathers in hot water

3. What is the main challenge facing the handmade shuttlecock industry in Jodhubaria?

A) Finding high-quality feathers
B) The rise of synthetic shuttlecocks and foreign competition
C) Producing shuttlecocks too quickly
D) Using too much epoxy

4. What is ‘epoxy’ used for in the manufacturing process of handmade shuttlecocks?

A) To dye the feathers
B) To glue the feathers into the base
C) To add a thin coat for added security
D) To sort the feathers

5. Why are workers in Jodhubaria concerned about the approval of synthetic shuttlecocks?

A) Because they are cheaper to produce
B) Because they are more durable
C) Because they may replace feathered shuttlecocks and affect their livelihood
D) Because they are heavier

Answer Key:

1. B
2. C
3. B
4. C
5. C

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: The Use of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. It is formed using the present tense of the auxiliary verb “have” + “been” + the present participle of the main verb (e.g., “have been making”). In the context of the text, the sentence “craftspeople have been making badminton shuttlecocks by hand for generations” illustrates this tense, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the traditional craftsmanship in Jodhubaria village. This tense is particularly useful for describing long-term activities or situations that have a connection to the present.

Grammar Quiz:

1. Which of the following sentences correctly uses the present perfect continuous tense to describe an ongoing action?

a) They make badminton shuttlecocks by hand.
b) They have made badminton shuttlecocks by hand for years.
c) They have been making badminton shuttlecocks by hand for generations.
d) They are making badminton shuttlecocks by hand now.

2. What is the main reason for using the present perfect continuous tense in a sentence?

a) To describe a completed action in the past.
b) To emphasize the duration of an action that started in the past and continues up to the present.
c) To talk about future plans or predictions.
d) To describe habitual actions.

3. Choose the correct form of the present perfect continuous tense for the sentence: “By next year, they _______ badminton shuttlecocks for over 20 years.”

a) will have made
b) have been making
c) are making
d) will make

4. Which sentence does NOT describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present?

a) They have been working on the project since morning.
b) The company has produced shuttlecocks since its establishment.
c) She has lived in Jodhubaria all her life.
d) They made badminton shuttlecocks last year.

5. How does the use of the present perfect continuous tense in “craftspeople have been making badminton shuttlecocks by hand for generations” contribute to the overall meaning of the text?

a) It emphasizes the traditional and ongoing nature of the craftsmanship.
b) It highlights the competition from synthetic shuttlecocks.
c) It discusses the challenges faced by small factories.
d) It mentions the approval of synthetic shuttlecocks by the Badminton World Federation.

Answer Key:

1. c) They have been making badminton shuttlecocks by hand for generations.

2. b) To emphasize the duration of an action that started in the past and continues up to the present.

3. b) have been making

4. d) They made badminton shuttlecocks last year.

5. a) It emphasizes the traditional and ongoing nature of the craftsmanship.