Bagging a better future

Though there is no dearth of high sounding, well worded and attractive programmes or workshop on the upliftment of poor craft persons but ‘Shilp Jute’, a workskop for upliftment of weavers in Shahbad Muhammadpur village in West Delhi needs special mentioning. A 15-day workshop was held recently at the newly constructed Panchayat Hall of the village.
The workshop was an attempt to revive the fine tradition of weaving and to inspire the weavers who have left the profession. It is the first attempt to amelinate the condition of weavers in this village. However, unlike other workshops this workshop acquired significance as it aimed at the upliftment of not only the weavers but also their family members. The weavers of Shahbad Muhammadpur village were identified by Sanyam, an N.G.O., which has been working in the handicraft sector from its inception in 1990.
Weaving was one of the major occupations of villagers a few decades ago. However, with the advent of machine looms, the demand for hand looms fell. The fine fabric of machine looms was no match for the coarse fabric of hand looms. Besides, machine looms made cheaper fabrics. The handloom weavers came in the grip of grinding poverty. They, thus, kept aside their looms and drifted to other professions, though most of the weavers are unemployed.
Neki Ram, 83, oldest weaver of the village informed that there were forty families in 1953 involved in weaving and each family had a loom. Today, only five families own a loom. The yarn is costly and there is not much market in the village. Further, the weavers know how to make limited seasonal products out of wool like shawls or blankets which are consumed in the village itself.
Rekha Thorat, a designer who conducted the workshop, said, “All are master weavers. They know how to weave. My specific purpose was to teach different products which are saleable.� Rekha has introduced jute yarns to these weavers as it is cheap. For some products cotton yarn has been blended with jute to increase the life of the fabric. The weavers were taught to make fabric out of jute yarn in looms.
The women folk were taught to make various accessories of this jute fabric like bags, lampshades, jute jackets, wall hangings, etc. These accessories were made decorative by embroidery done by jute yarn. The enthusiastic response shown by the women weavers was amazing. Taking no heed of the scorching heat, with the will to learn and the zeal to grow, these women have learnt to make fascinating wall hangings with colourful motiffs. About 25 women attended the workshop.
The jute bags have different sizes and shapes. It also goes along with the government policy of ‘Say no to polybags’. The demand for jute bags will increase as they are sturdy and cheap. Informs Rekha, “I have taught them how to do the costing also so that they get maximum profit.� Raj Sharma, programme coordinator of Sanyam society, said, “Those who attended the workshop would be given full exposure by Sanyam. They would participate in exhibitions and expos sponsored by JMDC (Jute Manufacturer Diversifiction Center) and NCJD (National Council for Jute Diversification) of the Textile Ministry. Likewise, stalls at Delhi Haat will be made available to these weavers at subsidised rates from time to time.’’