Post

How to get URL link on X (Twitter) App

On the Twitter thread, click on or icon on the bottom
Click again on or Share Via icon
Click on Copy Link to Tweet
Paste it above and click "Unroll Thread"!
More info at Twitter Help

The Paperclip

@Paperclip_In

Nov 1, 2024 • 9 tweets • 3 min read • Read on X

Scrolly

Of every ten firecracker boxes you’d pick up during #Diwali, nine of them would probably contain a label that reads ‘Sivakasi’, a town in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu.

A short thread on this unique town that has been synonymous with #DiwaliCelebration
#Revisit
(1/7)

Sivakasi city alone produces about 90% fire crackers of the nation while providing employment for about 250K people. The city thrived on an industry of making firecrackers and safety matches for almost a century (2/7)

The arid landscape of Sivakasi gets little rainfall, making the place difficult for agriculture and other industries. The city often fell under the grip of extreme drought and famine (3/7)

It all started when two cousins arrived at Calcutta in 1922 with just a few rupees in hand to escape from a famine. After much struggle, they landed a job in a matchstick-manufacturing factory (4/7)

The two brothers returned from Calcutta learning the art of match-making and founded the first factory in Tamil Nadu in 1923. But the industry started booming only when World War 2 put a halt to importing fireworks from UK and Germany (5/7)

Surprisingly, the only other industry that survived in Sivakasi, is printing industry. Majority of the diaries and calendars we receive as gifts around the New Year, are made in Sivakasi (6/7)

The city endured multiple fire incidents, explosions, & child labor issues over the years, but currently the locals, who've been involved in cracker factories for generations are facing an economic crisis as several states have imposed a ban on crackers (7/7)

Sridevi has likely appeared on more firecracker boxes than anyone else. Born in Meenampatti village near Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, her enduring presence in this festive tradition makes perfect sense.

Image sources: Pinterest, hakes.com, joseflebovicgallery.com

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

More from @Paperclip_In

The Paperclip

@Paperclip_In

Feb 18

Did you know Indians born in Suriname were once considered Dutch citizens? And while that might sound strange, all of this connects back to Lord Ram and the settlements of Chinsurah and Baranagar on the banks of the Hooghly. Do read on. 1/24

Moving through the streets of Baranagar in North Kolkata can be challenging at times. Rickshaws, autos, trucks, and even the odd stray cattle all vie for a place. It does not just bustle with activity; it practically lives and breathes it. 2/24

But as you move through the intricate, narrow lanes, you will find old houses, broken and scarred, called Kuthis. Now these kuthis once housed Sahebs, mostly Britishers, but for a time they also housed people from the land of the Oranje, the Dutch. 3/24

Read 29 tweets

The Paperclip

@Paperclip_In

Feb 14

In 1977, an Indian art student set out on a bicycle for Sweden, covering more than 11,000 kilometers because he could not afford an airfare to be with the love of his life. An incredible story worth remembering a thousand times. Read on. 1/18

The facts of the journey are striking enough. But to understand why it happened, it is necessary to return to a village in Odisha where Pradyumna Kumar Mahanandia was born into the Kandha tribal community n 1949, historically among India’s most marginalized groups. 2/18

He grew up in poverty, in a house without electricity, and displayed an early aptitude for drawing. In interviews over the years, he has spoken candidly about the discrimination he faced as a child. It was too real to forget. 3/18

Read 19 tweets

The Paperclip

@Paperclip_In

Jan 20

The high-octane trailer of #Border2 dropped recently and one character – played by Ahaan Shetty caught our eye. Shetty plays an officer of Indian Navy in the 1971 War and our thoughts went back to a real-life Indian Navy officer who left behind an eternal legacy through his actions in this war. 1/18

The INS Khukri was a Type 14 frigate of the Indian Navy in 1971. The Type 14 was a minimal anti-submarine craft, a cheaper alternative to the more expensive Type 12. They were introduced to the British Royal Navy in the early 1950s. By 1971, they were considered somewhat obsolete. 2/18

India had acquired three Type 14s, which it had named INS Khukri, Kirpan and Kuthar – all part of Western Fleet’s 14th Squadron. On the other hand, in the aftermath of the 1965 war with India, the Pakistan Navy acquired three Daphne class submarines – which it named PNS Hangor, Shushuk, and Mangro. 3/18

Read 19 tweets

The Paperclip

@Paperclip_In

Jan 7

Sunjay Dutt enters the fray in #Dhurandhar and a familiar tune immediately starts playing – a song that has won hearts for nearly 40 years now: Hawa Hawa. Today we tell you about the fascinating yet tragic story of its OG creator. 1/20

In 1987, young Pakistani singer Hassan Jahangir became a household name with his chartbusting song – Hawa Hawa. The song became such a rage that Jahangir earned the nickname – ‘Michael Jackson of Pakistan’. 2/20

The eponymously named album sold 15 million cassettes in India – making Jahangir and Hawa Hawa a household name on both sides of the border. 3/20

Read 21 tweets

The Paperclip

@Paperclip_In

Jan 5

There is a primary school in a quiet village in Bengal with a building named after a Venezuelan revolutionary who helped liberate much of South America. The answer lies in the long, meandering story of India–Venezuela relations. Thread. 1/22

This week, as the world awakes to one of the most startling geopolitical developments in decades — the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces in a dramatic military operation, it’s worth pausing on an unexpected tributary of history. 2/22

In a week when Venezuela has once again crashed into the global news cycle; amid dramatic claims and Washington’s familiar long shadow, it may be worth stepping away from the noise and asking a quieter question: what does Venezuela mean to India, really? 3/22

Read 23 tweets

The Paperclip

@Paperclip_In

Dec 25, 2025

Dhurandhar has brought Lyari Town in Karachi back into the conversation. The film only touches it briefly, but there’s a side of Lyari that rarely gets mentioned beside gang violence, and it’s real and alive.

A thread on why Lyari is also called Mini Brazil. 1/20

For decades, Lyari has been known mostly for gang wars, violence, and drug problems. That history is real. Alongside all of that, something else has quietly survived there. And, that is football. 2/20

Those who watched the film may have noticed a few brief scenes where children are playing football. Of course, the film’s premise only allows it to touch on that in passing. But that small detail opens the door to a much deeper and fascinating history. 3/20

Read 21 tweets

Support us! We are indie developers!

This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Don't want to be a Premium member but still want to support us?

Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal

Or Donate anonymously using crypto!

Ethereum

0xfe58350B80634f60Fa6Dc149a72b4DFbc17D341E copy

Bitcoin

3ATGMxNzCUFzxpMCHL5sWSt4DVtS8UqXpi copy

Thank you for your support!

Share this page!

Enter URL or ID to Unroll

The Paperclip

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

More from @Paperclip_In

The Paperclip

The Paperclip

The Paperclip

The Paperclip

The Paperclip

The Paperclip

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Don't want to be a Premium member but still want to support us?

Send Email!