Page 6 - EDII Report 121

EDII REPORTS 121 EDII REPORTS 121

When Women Weave Their own

Entrepreneurial Trajectory....

HSBC - Project HandMade in India (HMI)
This unique project is aimed at reviving the rich legacy of Indian Handloom industry. HMI, an
HSBC's CSR initiative, implemented by EDII, ensures capacity building of weavers to help
them function as adept entrepreneurs. At EDII, on 6th March, 2023, 30 stalls were put up by Ms. Shailaja Punit Soni,
weavers enrolled under the project HandMade in India, representing 6 Clusters from across the Subject Matter Expert and
country. The clusters represented included, Kamrup, Bargarh, Bhuj, Surendranagar, Maheshwar, Master weaver from Bhuj
Salem. Cluster demonstrated the
making of Natural Dyes.
The Mega Exhibition was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Smt. Rekha Sharma, Chairperson,
National Commission of Women in the presence of Special Guests, Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Secretary
General Association of Indian Universities; Mr. Romit Sen, Sr. Vice President – Corporate Given the nontoxic nature of Natural dyes EDII has promoted Natural dyeing or eco friendly
Sustainability, HSBC; Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII and Dr. Raman Gujral, Director of colours in the Clusters. The weavers were initially hesitant to work with organic colours
Projects – Corporates. The dignitaries visited all the stalls and interacted with the weavers to because of the time taking process involved to reach results. After rounds of
learn as to how the intervention had improved their prospects. Mr. Romit Sen , who has been trainings and exposure visits, weavers from Bhuj and Surendranagar have started working
closely connected with the project, expressed his happiness over the elevated technical with natural colours. They also realised that the market for organic colours is huge, and have
knowledge of the weavers. He also appreciated their presence on social media platforms for a switched completely to this form of dyeing. In Kamrup cluster also, a few weavers have
better reach and their familiarisation with modern ways of doing business, including the online adopted the organic dyeing process. To promote and create awareness, a Natural Dyeing
modes of payment. Catalogue has been created on the Bhuj Cluster.

The HandMade in India Corporate Film was also released on this event by Chief Guest Ms. Rekha
Rajiben, from Kotay village, now based in
Sharma.
Awadhnagar village, Kutch, hails from the
traditional weavers’ community. After her
husband's untimely demise, she joined Khamir,
an NGO devoted to plastic recycling and
upcycling, started weaving textiles to generate
income. She got trained in plastic weaving and
floated her own unit. Rajiben grew from strength
to strength and even travelled to London for
exhibiting her plastic weaving skills and upcycled
products which received a lot of praise. HMI, at
every stage, handheld Rajiben. For her marketing and promotion requirements, she was
connected to the Kaarigar Clinic.

Today, Rajiben works with 30 women from Bhuj, Bhujodi, Kukma, Lakhond and Madhapar
villages of Bhuj taluka to create upcycled plastic bags, pouches, trays, cases and other
products. HMI is closely connected with Rajiben and has mentored her at every
stage. Rajiben was recently awarded the President Award – 'Swachh Sujal Shakti Samman
2023' for her outstanding work under Biodegradable and plastic waste management
category. Rajiben, is one of the first weavers to switch from regular yarn to plastic. Her hard
Women artisans under the Project, HandMade in India, trained by EDII, were recognized for their exceptional growth work and curiosity has generated commendable results.

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