Unveiling the layers of garment industry

Mallika Shakya’s ‘Death of an Industry’ navigates the complexities of garment manufacturing, striking a balance between an insightful exploration of cultural politics and a dense presentation of details.

As someone with limited knowledge of economics and anthropology, Mallika Shakya’s ‘Death of an Industry’ was a challenging book for me. However, understanding the complex interplay of economics, caste, ethnicity, and politics was tough, but the book, a vast ethnographic study, proved rewarding. It sheds light on the factors behind the decline of Nepal’s garment industry, addressing the struggles of factory workers, the impact of international politics, the country’s challenges in adapting to change, and the consequences of the industry’s breakdown due to factors like caste dynamics and the people’s war.