Weaving the Strands of Growth & Prosperity
May 17, 2019India has so much to offer when it comes to its beautiful Handicraft heritage. It might just take you by surprise that the handicraft sector statistically forms the second-largest source of employment in India and thus it is one of the important aspects of our market ecosystem.
The handicraft sector has created tremendous opportunities for individuals – primarily women, skilled in traditional handicrafts.
Almost all Indian women are the nucleus of their families. They encompass the strength and skills that are hard to match. Unlike cities, rural India needs a greater push towards development, the concept of financial inclusion of women and opportunities to help women earn, grow and become self-reliant. With an aim of empowering 480 beneficiaries from Kothawan block of Hardoi district in Uttar Pradesh through a unique livelihood, leadership and skill development program, HCL Samuday has joined hands with Jaipur Rugs Foundation. Jaipur Rugs Foundation is one of the largest manufacturers of hand-knotted luxury rugs and experiments with the originality of rural artisan to nurture their creative potential by providing them with a global stage. This intervention aims to upskill women from Kothawan, in District Hardoi in the craft of carpet weaving and help provide them with sustainable channels of employment.
Ms Navpreet Kaur, Director – HCL Samuday said, “Uttar Pradesh is known for its crafts industry. Several women in the Hardoi District are already associated with the unorganized crafts sector but are not remunerated as per market standards. HCL Samuday’s tie-up with Jaipur Rugs Foundation will ensure that women are skilled by proper hands-on training and they are able to find meaningful employment close to their home. This will not only make women financially independent but also ensure that migration away from these areas towards urban centres decreased substantially.”
Built on a foundation of compassion and financial inclusion, JRF reaches out to remote rural areas and establishes bonds with underserved communities, especially women, thus enabling them to start weaving not just rugs but also their own success. Currently, Jaipur Rugs Foundation is working with over 40,000 artisans in 600 villages of UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Rajasthan impacting around 200,000 people. HCL Samuday resonates with this dream of JRF and aims to work towards implementing a successful model of growth and happiness. This partnership aims to create a sustainable livelihood for hundreds of women and their households, offering a remuneration of Rs. 8000/- per month. HCL Samuday will establish 30 weaving units in Kothawan block where, 500 beneficiaries will be trained and later employed.
Carpet weaving is an age-old tradition of India. Rajasthani carpets are traditionally well known for fine-quality hand-knotted woollen fibres & Uttar Pradesh is particularly known for their unique colours and patterns when it comes to carpets. HCL Samuday and Jaipur Rugs Foundation’s collaboration will not only hone the beneficiaries’ skill sets but will give existing artisans an opportunity to adapt & learn new skills as well. Jaipur Rugs Foundation will provide 120 looms to the 30 centres and will also offer intensive hands-on training for six months.
Mr Yash Ranga, Stakeholder Engagement Partner – Jaipur Rugs Foundation said, “Jaipur Rugs Foundation reaches out to women from the economically marginalized sections of our society and provides them with the opportunity of becoming skilled artisans in the carpet value chain and earn sustainable livelihoods. Today we are engaging with over 40,000 women across the country.”
The Women in Hardoi will now weave a successful and happy future for their families by enabling themselves while enhancing their leadership attributes!