Page 37 - EDII Report-134

Weaving Success Sagas
National Awardee
…HSBC supported Project HandMade in India (HMI)
Shri Bhojrajbhai Damjibhai, Beneficiary of Project HMI
Heritage and cultural ethos are the most distinguishing aspects of a community. The legacy
Bhojrajbhai Damjibhai, a differently
of artistry and weaving are generational wealth that are precious, and must be preserved.
abled Mashroo weaving artisan from
The Hand Made in India (HMI) project, implemented EDII and supported by HSBC, reaches
Gadhshisha, Kutch, has been
out to handloom weavers and artisans in Erode (Tamil Nadu) and Bhuj (Gujarat) clusters in
conferred with the prestigious
India to train, mentor and handhold them in acquiring new, upgraded skills, gaining access
National Handloom Award 2025 for
to new markets and becoming adept artisan-entrepreneurs.
reviving the rare Bharasai Mashroo
design. The award was presented on
Hearteningly after a series of skill building trainings , exhibitions, B2B linkages and branding
the 11th National Handloom Day (7
efforts the artisans have adopted widely prevalent, client-preferred and operational best
August 2025) at Bharat Mandapam,
practices. They have found their wings and are expanding their outreach for brighter
New Delhi, by Union Textiles Minister
opportunities. Loan worth Rs. 7.25 Cr. has been disbursed to them through government
Shri Giriraj Singh; Minister of State for
schemes.
Textiles, Government of India. Also
present were Shri Pabitra Margherita,
and senior officials from the Ministry
of Textiles and Ms. Kangana Ranaut,
Member of the Lok Sabha.
Bhojrajbhai learnt Mashroo weaving from his father, Damjibhai, who integrated the
craft into Khadi production in Kutch. Stricken by polio in childhood and later entrusted
with the care of his younger brother, who is also differently abled, Bhojrajbhai’s life has
been a struggle. He says, “ the love for this craft, melted way all his pain.” In 2023, EDII
under its flagship project supported by HSBC, ‘Handmade in India’, enrolled
Bhojrajbhai as a beneficiary. He receiving advanced design development training,
exposure to innovative yarn options and access to new design layouts. In May 2025,
recognising his unique work in resurrecting the Bharasai Mashroo design, EDII - Bhuj
team facilitated him in applying for the National Handloom Award. And, finally,
On 19 August 2025, a documentation on HMI Project Success - 'Weaving Wealth' and Product
Bhojrajbhai was awarded for his painstaking work.
Catalogues of weavers being launched by Ms. Aloka Majumdar, Managing Director, Global Head of
Philanthropy & Head of Sustainability, HSBC India; Mr Romit Sen, Senior Vice President, Corporate
Sustainability, HSBC India; Dr Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII and Dr. Raman Gujral, Professor &
Director-Department of CSR Partnerships.
Ek Ped
MAA
Ke Naam 2.0
National Awardee
Shri Bhojrajbhai Damjibhai, Beneficiary of Project HMI
Bhojrajbhai Damjibhai, a differently
abled Mashroo weaving artisan from
Gadhshisha, Kutch, has been
conferred with the prestigious
Ek Ped MAA Ke Naam 2.0
National Handloom Award 2025 for
reviving the rare Bharasai Mashroo
design. The award was presented on
the 11th National Handloom Day (7
August 2025) at Bharat Mandapam,
New Delhi, by Union Textiles Minister
Shri Giriraj Singh; Minister of State for
Textiles, Government of India. Also
present were Shri Pabitra Margherita,
Ek Ped MAA Ke Naam 2.0
and senior officials from the Ministry
of Textiles and Ms. Kangana Ranaut,
Member of the Lok Sabha.
Bhojrajbhai learnt Mashroo weaving from his father, Damjibhai, who integrated the
craft into Khadi production in Kutch. Stricken by polio in childhood and later entrusted
with the care of his younger brother, who is also differently abled, Bhojrajbhai’s life has
been a struggle. He says, “ the love for this craft, melted way all his pain.” In 2023, EDII
under its flagship project supported by HSBC, ‘Handmade in India’, enrolled
Bhojrajbhai as a beneficiary. He receiving advanced design development training,
exposure to innovative yarn options and access to new design layouts. In May 2025,
recognising his unique work in resurrecting the Bharasai Mashroo design, EDII - Bhuj
team facilitated him in applying for the National Handloom Award. And, finally,
Bhojrajbhai was awarded for his painstaking work.
Weaving Success Sagas From Orange Peel to Eco-Innovation:
…HSBC supported Project HandMade in India (HMI)
How Curiosity Can Drive India’s Circular Economy
Heritage and cultural ethos are the most distinguishing aspects of a community. The legacy
of artistry and weaving are generational wealth that are precious, and must be preserved.
The HandMade in India (HMI) project, implemented by EDII and supported by HSBC, One sunny afternoon, Monu was watching TV
reaches out to handloom weavers and artisans in Erode (Tamil Nadu) and Bhuj (Gujarat) when his grandfather handed him a juicy orange.
clusters in India to train, mentor and handhold them in acquiring new, upgraded skills, After savoring the fruit, Monu casually tossed the
gaining access to new markets and becoming adept artisan-entrepreneurs. peel into the dustbin. Just then, the radio carried a
speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi about
Hearteningly after a series of skill building trainings , exhibitions, B2B linkages and branding the circular economy an economic model that
efforts the artisans have adopted widely prevalent, client-preferred and operational best transforms waste into valuable resources for the
practices. They have found their wings and are expanding their outreach for brighter country. Monu, ever curious, turned to his
opportunities. Loan worth Rs. 7.25 Cr. has been disbursed to them through government grandfather and asked, “Can we do more with this
schemes. orange peel than just compost it?” Suman Kumar Das
Assistant Professor
August 19, 2025: A documentation on This simple question captures the essence of a bigger idea. Instead of seeing waste as
HMI Project Success - 'Weaving something to discard, we can view it as a resource what now call “grey gold.” In a country
Wealth' and Product Catalogues of
weavers being launched by (2nd from like India, where a rapidly growing population drives high resource consumption, waste
L) Ms. Aloka Majumdar, Managing generation is both a challenge and an opportunity. Cities like Mumbai produce
Director, Global Head of Philanthropy enormous amounts of waste, with towering mounds of refuse often visible in slum areas,
& Head of Sustainability, HSBC India; further Delhi's Ghazipur landfill (Mountain of trash) reflecting the urgent need for
(L) Mr. Romit Sen, Senior Vice sustainable solutions. This cites instead of being represent as a clean, digital and vibrant
President, Corporate Sustainability, capital of growing India, it is now famous as India’s landfill/waste landmark—a truly
HSBC India; Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director ironic claim to fame. Global factors add urgency to this perspective. Geopolitical
General, EDII and Dr. Raman Gujral, uncertainties with supplier nations like China, coupled with unpredictable trade policies
Professor & Director-Department of from countries such as the United States, highlight the need for India to become more
CSR Partnerships.
resource-independent. But adopting a circular economy isn’t just about policy;it
requires a fundamental shift in behavior. We should take pride in traditional practices
National Awardee that were inherently circular and actively adapt them in modern contexts.
Shri Bhojrajbhai Damjibhai
Returning to Monu’s curiosity: a young mind must learn to think beyond composting and
Beneficiary of Project HMI conventional recycling. Take the orange peel, for instance. It contains cellulose content
Bhojrajbhai Damjibhai, a differently abled such as polymethoxylated flavones and pectin, which scientists have found can be
Mashroo weaving artisan from Gadhshisha, Kutch, converted into biodegradable polymers the building blocks for eco-friendly plastics.
has been conferred with the prestigious National These biodegradable plastics can serve as raw materials for new products, reducing both
Handloom Award 2025 for reviving the rare waste and environmental impact while meeting our demand for plastic. But innovation
Bharasai Mashroo design. The award was doesn’t stop there. These biodegradable materials can also be used as filaments in 3D
presented on the 11th National Handloom Day printing, a cutting-edge technology that India is increasingly integrating into
(August 7, 2025) by Shri Giriraj Singh; Hon’ble manufacturing and startup ecosystems. Imagine a small local shop creating unique, eco-
Minister of Textiles, Government of India. Also friendly souvenirs from orange-peel-derived plastics. For the Gen Z and Gen Alpha
present were Ms. Kangana Ranaut, Member of the generations, who value personalized and sustainable products, such items would offer
Lok Sabha, and Senior Officials from the Ministry. not just a keepsake but an experience, turning souvenirs into memorable stories.
Bhojrajbhai learnt Mashroo weaving from his father, Damjibhai, who integrated the craft into Khadi The potential ripple effect is remarkable. Eco-friendly souvenirs could support a temple-
production in Kutch. Stricken by polio in childhood and later entrusted with the care of his younger brother, based or tourism-driven local economy, attracting visitors who are eager to explore for
who is also differently abled, Bhojrajbhai’s life has been a struggle. He says, “ The love for this craft, melted experiential tourism and supporting local economy. By merging tradition, technology,
away all my pain.” In 2023, EDII under its flagship project supported by HSBC, ‘Handmade in India’, enrolled and sustainability, communities can generate both economic and environmental value.
Bhojrajbhai as a beneficiary. He received advanced design development training, exposure to innovative Monu’s simple question demonstrates a profound truth: innovation begins with
yarn options and access to new design layouts. In May 2025, recognising his unique work in resurrecting the curiosity. By thinking beyond composting, leveraging scientific knowledge, and
Bharasai Mashroo design, EDII - Bhuj team facilitated him in applying for the National Handloom Award. embracing new technologies, India can transform its ‘grey gold’ into opportunities for a
And, finally, Bhojrajbhai was awarded for his painstaking work. more sustainable, resilient and prosperous future.
36 37