Mohammad Mujakkir Mohammad Yakub Sujniwala-Shree Bharuch District Sujani Production and Sales Cooperative Limited, Bharuch

Name of the Beneficiary

Mohammad Mujakkir Mohammad Yakub Sujniwala

Name of the Enterprise Floated

Shree Bharuch District Sujani Production and Sales Cooperative Limited, Bharuch

Present Turnover

₹ 5 Lakh (Audited)

Employment Generated

40

Inital Investments

  • ₹ 15,000

Funds Raised

  • ₹ 18 Lakh from Roshini Project (CSR-Deepak Foundation)

Awards Received

  • State Handloom & Handicraft Award, 2021

Sujani craft has been practiced in the Bharuch district for over 200 years by the Muslim community, with the current artisan representing the fifth generation of this traditional art form. The name “Sujani” is derived from the word “Sujani,” where “Su” means “easy and facilitating” and “Jani” means “birth.” Traditionally, the Sujani technique was used to create quilts from old saris and dhotis for newborn babies. Since 2003, Mohammad Mujakkir Mohammad Yakub Sujniwala has been actively involved in his family business, assisting his father and training other artisans in the Sujani craft.


The rise of industrialization and the proliferation of machine-made products caused significant setbacks for the business. In order to support his family, he shifted into the dress material business. After the lockdown, he resolved to focus on reviving the Sujani craft and bringing it back to prominence.


He faces two primary challenges: access to quality raw materials and limited production space. Purchasing raw materials in bulk requires a significant investment and the lack of funds creates hurdles for the business. Additionally, the specific colors of the yarn are essential for preserving the quality of the craft. The production space is also limited, and shared with many family members, further hinders operations, the availability of skilled labour is another hurdle, as low wages make attracting skilled workers for this intricate craft difficult. Managing six looms with limited initial investment was a challenge for him, leading him to depend on small bank loans to meet financial requirements.

EDII played a pivotal role in facilitating the GI tagging of Sujani craft, thereby enhancing its recognition and market value. Additionally, EDII provided mentorship for product development and connected him with renowned designers, enabling innovation and diversification in his craft offerings.


Looking to the future, his vision is to revive the Sujani craft by expanding into export markets and reaching new customer segments. He aims to establish a consistent sales pipeline for the final products while ensuring the craft’s sustainability for future generations.