Name of the Beneficiary

Rakeshkumar Jitendrakumar Petigara

Name of the Enterprise Floated

Pragati Pratishthan Charitable Trust, Surat

Present Turnover

₹ 5 Lakh (Audited)

Employment Generated

40

Inital Investments

• ₹ 7 Lakh

Awards Received

• State Handloom & Handicrafts Award, 2022
• National Handicrafts Award, 2022-2023

Rakeshkumar’s journey in the craft industry began with a deep commitment to his heritage and the future of traditional craftsmanship. In 1999, after completing his Diploma in Design, he started working at Pragati Handicrafts. However, when his father fell ill with heart disease, Rakeshkumar took on the responsibility of supporting his family. He received guidance and support through domain-specific training by the Hastkala team and was mentored to become a specialized master artisan in Sadeli craft, a male-dominated and labor-intensive art on the verge of extinction.

Rakeshkumar’s journey in the craft industry was initially fraught with challenges. Starting with just ₹186, he faced demotivation due to the hardships and lack of available artisans, as many abandoned the craft for better opportunities and higher wages. He adopted innovative survival strategies to sustain his work, including taking advance payments from customers to address working capital needs and securing personal loans to support his family. Despite these early struggles, he built a foundation for success in preserving and promoting the craft.

With the mentorship from EDII, Rakeshkumar secured a GI (Geographical Indication) Tag for the Sadeli craft, which significantly elevated its recognition and market value. The support from EDII also provided critical market linkages, enabling him to explore new opportunities and expand his horizons. His vision is to transform Pragati Handicrafts into a small-scale industry, employing 100 artisans. He aims to integrate Sadeli craft into everyday products, ensuring the craft’s survival for future generations.