Winner 2019
Smt.Ruma Devi
Nominations: 2019
Category: Social Work
Location: Barmer, Rajasthan, India
About Smt.Ruma: i) Committed towards change: ‘Deep Daval’ self help group was started on a very nominal budget even when Ruma devi had few resources .She procured... Read More
Congratulations Smt.Ruma
Our heartiest congratulations to iWGA 2019 winners. We are proud of you and so is the Nation. Keep shining & motivating others.
Work Description
i) Creating job oppurtunities: The district Barmer is a semi-arid zone. With the scarcity of water agriculture is heavily dependent on rain. Poverty which denies the farmers an opportunity for better investment has lead many artisans to work in the disorganized sector as laborers or to migrate ... Read More
- Shilpi Abhimani award for Asia Pacific region by the National Craft Council o...
- Honored by Bangkok Indo Thai Club for exemplary work in handicrafts 2018
- Honor at Germany Fair for promotion & recognition of women made hand crafted ...
- Honor by Women on Wings Netherlands 2016
- Govt. of Rajsthan state level award for promotion of handicrafts by the Hon’...
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Project Details
Project information: GVCS, Barmer headed by Smt. Ruma devi is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-political and social welfare association which was founded for the upliftment of women, Dalits and marginalised communities in the region. It was established on 7th July, 1998 and has been working ... Read More
- Skill upgradation and social upliftment of women artisans
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Work Description X Close
i) Creating job oppurtunities: The district Barmer is a semi-arid zone. With the scarcity of water agriculture is heavily dependent on rain. Poverty which denies the farmers an opportunity for better investment has lead many artisans to work in the disorganized sector as laborers or to migrate in search of work. Ruma Devi has made employment reach their homes. She through GVCS reaches out to artisans in 75 villages across Barmer for providing regularized income and employment to artisans.
ii)Generating continuous income: Generating continuous income for 20,000 women in 75 villages where accessibility through road is difficult and working with orthodox and conservative patriarchal communities who believe in Purdha was a challenge that Ruma Devi took upon herself. With her determination and strong will she now reaches out to women providing them with an alternative to WORK FROM HOME. The income of the artisans is now regular and standardized.
iii)Reaching out to new clientele for artisan self sufficiency: Ruma Devi has been instrumental in reaching out to new clientele for providing better financial avenues to women and tribal artisans through her initiative towards experimenting with new fabrics, motifs and color combination.
iv)Revival and Promotion of India Art: The famous art work on fabric which is based on recycling of old fabric and is environment friendly with its use of natural dyes and methods was on the verge of extinction. Ruma Devi revived this art form of making beautiful motifs on fabric using the age old traditional methods and has been able to save this art form from dying a slow death.
v) Creating a trained workforce: Ruma Devi has successfully mobilized and trained women in appliqué work in more 75 villages in the Thar region and has collaborated with various agencies for their skill upgradation.
vi)Promoting alternative energy resources: She has been literally lighting up the homes of 2000 families of her region by distributing solar lights . Her work still uses the traditional methods of sun drying and making of natural dyes that are a step forward towards conserving the environment.
About Smt.Ruma X Close
i) Committed towards change: ‘Deep Daval’ self help group was started on a very nominal budget even when Ruma devi had few resources .She procured sewing machines and started manufacturing for local clientele.
In the year 2008 she became a member of GVCS and started working towards the upliftment of women in all spheres.
ii)High Level of competency: Ever since she got elected as President GVCS she has been instrumental in making the artisans a a better organised community through:
Base line survey of artisans
Skill development training of artisans
Design development training of artisans
Marketing related training of artisans
Capacity building training of artisans
Exposure visit of artisans
Participation in fair of artisans
iii) Leader, mentor and an expert craftsmen: She has trained 20,000 women artisans working in the Thar region of Rajasthan. She has been a promoter for hand crafted products made by women. She has herself modeled for handcrafted apparels made by Thar women on ramp shows at the state and national level. She has been the chief initiator and motivator in making women attend training workshops conceptualized by her for better skill development. She has also designed contemporary products in furnishings and apparels to reach out to the youth of today and popularize and promote handcrafted goods at international level. As president GVCS she has brought international fashion designers to the doorsteps of women artisans proving to be a direct link between the two.
iv)Diverse experience: As a leader who believes in leading from the front, she has worked at all levels for promotion of the dying art of Rajasthan and fulfilling the promise of a better tomorrow for women artisans
(a) Regional level:Coordinating activities of craft development in the western region of Rajasthan since the past 10 years
(b) State level: Participation in Rajasthan heritage week 2016,2017,2018
(c) National level:Participation in trade fairs and ramp shows IGHF Noida 2016, 2017,2018
(d) International level: HEIM TeXtile Fair Germany.
Promotion of products SingaporeCraft.Fair2017
Recognition of hand crafted products by women in the prestigiousThe British Patchwork and Quilting Magazine 2017
Promotion of traditional hand crafted jewellery made by the women of the region at International Jewellery show 2018.
Promotion of traditional hand woven fabric apparels to reach out to international clientele in London Fashion Week 2018.
Honored by the prestigious INDIA TODAY magazine as the cover page of the anniversary edition of The New Bharat 2018.
v)Innovative thinker: She has also been organising women and artisan guilds in the Thar region for better livelihood and income generation of women artisans .Tapping and introducing handmade apparels and furnishing to the new generation for promoting handcrafts in association with International fashion designers Bibi Rusael ,Anita Dongre,Abraham & Thakur,Hemant Trivedi, Rohit Kumar.
Paved way for the close association of the Honourable Chief Minister of Rajasthan with women artisans and their handcrafted products.
Inauguration of book on Thar handicrafts made by women, compiled and initiated by Ruma Devi by the Hon’ble CM of Rajasthan 2017.
Handcrafted Malani Pattu shawl gifted to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India to bring the rich cultural heritage of the Thar region and to enable recognition of hand crafted products made by the women of Western Rajasthan 2018.Organised Kabir Yatra for Promotion of Tribal and Folk music 2017,2018
Skill upgradation and social upliftment of women artisans X Close
Project information:
GVCS, Barmer headed by Smt. Ruma devi is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-political and social welfare association which was founded for the upliftment of women, Dalits and marginalised communities in the region. It was established on 7th July, 1998 and has been working on a broad spectrum of rural development activities since then. The core area of focus has been livelihood generation for the women of the region. GVCS has promoted handicrafts as a viable means of creating home – based employment that provides them with a steady source of income from the security of their home environment. Other programs managed by GVCS include SHG formation, flood relief, fodder for drought affected cattle and education programs for child & women.
GVCS believes that true development can only happen when all sections of the village community and community based organisations involved in the decision making process. Hence, it encourages equal participation of all in the creation and implementation of its programs.
While the scope of our operations is the entire state of Rajasthan, presently, we have programs running in the districts of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jallore, Jodhpur and Bikaner. Our registered office is in Nehru Nagar, Barmer and we have field offices in Baldev Nagar, Ram Nagar, Chauthan, Dhanau, Sanawada and Leelsar. Similarly, in Jaisalmer district, we have a presence in Shri Mohan Garh and Devikot.
Beneficiaries:(Women, Children, Youth and Aged along with the Numbers):20,000 Women Applique Artisans
Background:
Applique based handicrafts are one of the major sources of income for the women artisans of the Thar region. These semi-skilled women artisans are facing the problem like unavailability of the raw material, market, and the right market for their products. It was felt that there is a need for their socio-economic empowerment that they be provided appropriate training for skill development and their links with market should be established coupled with organizing them into groups for effective management of their livelihood and sustainable financial growth.
Almost all women artisans work from home for them it is a part time work. The artisans practice this work as “job work”. Their work was generally based upon orders from nearby shops, companies, merchants, middlemen, etc. Since cost of raw material was very high they were not able to procure it with their limited resources. in advance using their own capital.. Unavailability of product stock together with changing market trends in the craft, women artisans could not produce products on time and as per latest market demands and choice of customers. All this provided ample opportunity and scope for middlemen to exploit artisans.
There was hardly any organised buying selling and manufacturing of products .The work produced was largely based on limited demand and was unorganised to the core .Due to very small nature of business, investment in machines and other infrastructure was also not possible. The production which is usually by hand and tools required only better financing, skill up gradation and market. All this motivated us to start our own programs in the form of various artisan clusters across Rajasthan and self group with the main motive to make artisans earn better and save them from the exploitation by the middlemen.
Smt. Ruma Devi has been instrumental in changing the lives of 20,000 women artisans in the Thar region of rajasthan
The projects undertaken aim to
1. Develop and Empower Women Artisans involved in Appliqué Work in Rajasthan through skill up-gradation, design intervention, capacity building and bridging the gap between producers and markets. To introduce the new and advance technologies to artisans and upgrade their skills.
2. Reduce the costing of products.
3. Improve the quality and finishing of the goods.
4. Build the capacity of artisans and initiate the culture of working jointly in collective groups.
5. Increase the per capita income.
6. Monitor their craftsmanship work for quality and deliverance within the time
frame.
Activities undertaken:
1. Base line survey of artisans
2. Skill development training of artisans
3. Design development training of artisans
4. Marketing related training of artisans
5. Capacity building training of artisans
6. Exposure visit of artisans
7. Participation in fairs by artisans
Strategy adopted:
1) SKILL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING. Following steps were adopted to run the project to achieve proposed desirable results.
a) Selection of master craftsmen: The first step towards training was the selection of a master trainer. This master trainer is briefed about the aims and end result of the workshop and also the skill level of the artisans through a orientation program.
b) Selection of raw material- Raw material selection is made with the help of the artisans to enable artisans to choose fabric, color, design and product according to contemporary market demands for national and international clientele..
c).Formulation on training syllabus: A five day syllabus was formulated with the assistance of master craftsmen. The following syllabus was formulated keeping in mind the market demand, needs of the artisans and availability of raw material. The steps undertaken are as follows:
a) Analysis of the given design and raw material.
b) Applique work started under the guidance of master craftsmen
c)Instructions on the use and importance of different kinds of fabric.
d)Work on the design under the guidance of master craftsmen.|
e) Quality check of the finished product
f) Distribution of incentive,closing
d) Artisans Group Mobilization :Groups of artisans are formed for the purpose of training. The strength of each group is limited to 15 to 25 depending on skill and type of product .Artisans trained earlier are made to initiate mobilization so that the new artists can easily understand the importance of training and feel interested in learning.
e) Selection of training venue- For better mobilization the venue is selected close to the artisans residence.
f) Continuous Monitoring- For better training and results continuous monitoring and visits are conducted by GVCS .Special instructions are given to master craftsmen as per requirement and need.
g) Conservation of design prototype- GVCS files and saves all new designs and there prototype including sketches and products for future reference.
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A brief of the three year skill upgradation program for artisans.
Skill level of artisans Skilled artisans Semi-skilled Artisans Unskilled Artisans
1st Year Exposure Visit of Artisans Design and Product Development Training Skill Upgradation Training
2nd Year Participation in Exhibition and Marketing Visit First Level of Stitching Training Design and Product Development Training
Second level of stitching training
3rd Year Participation in Exhibition and Marketing Visit Entrepreneurship Development Training
Entrepreneurship Development Training
After 3 Year Organising apparel designing workshops and venturing on a much larger scale into garments made with appliqué and ajrakh. | Training for better designs and color choice combined with experimentation in new materials. | Train for basic stitches and embroidery in appliqué and ajrakh. Training in the use of tools. |
2. Banking Awareness / financial literacy Workshops
Aim: To enable artisans to establish their own small scale business and to be familiar with the procedures and techniques of banking.
Following steps are adopted to run the project in desirable way-
a)Selection of master trainer: A master trainer well versed with banking procedures,preferably a volunteer working in a well reputed bank is selected for the purpose of imparting training as master trainer.The trainer is familiarisd with the skills of the artisans, their education level and background and the aim and objectives of the workshop.
| b) Formulation of training syllabus:- The organisation formulates a training syllabus with the assistance of the master trainer. The following syllabus is formulated and worked upon:|
1. Introduction and inaugration.
2.Information and procedure of opening a personal account learning how to fill form for opening bank account.
3.Use and security related to bank ATM cards.
4.Reply to queries
5.How to open account for self help group.
.
6.Information about various kinds of bank accounts.
Information sharing on various saving schemes of banks, post offices,Sukanya Samridhi Yojana.(FD and RD acc.)|
7.Answering participants queries.
8.Sharing information on net banking.
9.Information about loans through self help groups.
10.Recap of topics covered during the day.
Closing.|
c)Training aids : Based on the above the training aids are selected which primarily constitute models, pictures,audio video aids for better understanding of the training.
The following aids are used:
1)Opening of bank acc. form.
2)ATM card.
3)Card swipe machine.
4)Self help groups meeting registers.
5)How to register online for small scale industries through laptop.
6)Teaching of online payment transactions through BHIM and PAYTM app.
7)Different types of forms of post office and bank.eg....Deposit form, withdrwal form.
d) Artisan group mobilisation:The artisan groups are made aware of the benefits of the workshop a day prior to build their itnterest and familiarize them with the concepts.
(e Selection of venue: The venue is chosen amongst the residntial area of the artisans with adequate seating arrangement for better mobility.|
f) Countinuous monitoring: The organisation conducts continuous monitoring through its experts. Instructions are given from time to time for better learning and training. .
3.MICRO-ENTERPRISE /Self Help group(Ownership of the project by the community/beneficiaries)
1.In the field of micro-enterprise we ensure livelihoods with dignity for marginalized communities – through avenues of self-employment.
2.Setting up micro-enterprises that enable individuals and families to lift themselves out of poverty.
3. Equipping individuals with entrepreneurial skills through training and mentoring
We plan to convert the beneficiaries into the owners of the Common Facility Centre and the facilities linked to it after the project. The producer collective (company/ co-operative) will have the ownership of all the assets and goods and will be equipped to handle the operations once the project is completed. The artisans will be the owners of the producer collective in the form of a company/ co-operative.
(a) All the marketing programs will be undertaken with the independent handling of funds, raw material and finished goods management by the producer group members.
(b) The hand holding training on costing, pricing, quality management and finance management will be focusing on teaching the staff/ members to work the sustainability of the organization.
(c) On planning the registration a detailed training will be undertaken to explain the roles and responsibilities, funding opportunities for the collective to be operational.
(d) The shareholding/ membership requirements will be clarified to all the members so that they are geared up to understand the working of the collective and thereby its independent functioning in the absence of GVS.
(e) The plan of funding the collective from this project and from other government funding which will be raised will be shared with the members so that it becomes clear as to when they will be require to earn fully and bear the costs themselves so that they are not in dearth of resources and manpower at the last minute.
The exit plan will look at these factors in great amount of detail so that it does not become a burden for the collective group at the end. Me and my team together we work towards attaining desired results through:
1. Assisting with timely help where ever required in terms of finance, equipment and expert guidance for better sustainability in the initial phases.
2. Help in maintaining records , sending project proposals and make the collectives aware of the govt. Schemes for their benefits and growth.
3. Likewise assist them with all banking related activities for self dependency in future pursuits.
4. Timely check of designs, products, manufacturing units for further skill upgradation.
5. Arrange participation in fairs and exhibitions for exploring new market avenues.
6. Assisting in use of finances and resources for increased standard of living
4. Linkage and networking To make our products reach out new clientele we need assistance in providing us with new market linkages and expert assistance to help us with trending market demands and innovations to upgrade artisan skills and provide them with better job opportunities.
5. Exposure visits: For artisans to understand the market and know its demand we would request for visits from experts and also sponsored visits for artisans in national and international markets and fairs for exhibition of products. So far we have had exposure visits to the following exhibitions and fairs
Sno Name of exhibition Venue
1 Dastakar Exhibition Delhi,Bangalore,Pune,Chennai & Jaipur.
2 Delhi Haat Delhi
3 Dastakaari Haat Samiti Delhi,Chennai,Pune & Bangalore.
4 Traditional Artisan Exhibition Mumbai
5 Kala Ghoda Art Festival Mumbai
6 Concern India Foundation Bangalore,Pune,Ludhiana, Delhi & Chandigarh
7 Hemi Textile Fair Germany
8 Singapore Craft Fair Singapore
9 Indian Handicraft Gift Fair Noida
. Me and our team, together we work towards attaining desired results through
Quaterly, half yearly and yearly workshops and training programs in collaboration with govt. Agencies and local community volunteers.
6. The Common Facility Centre : We desire to establish A COMMON FACILITY CENTRE wherein all the facilities for setting up a production house will be set up. Machines like rollers, dyeing facility, steam ironing, sewing machines and other tools will be procured and artisans will be trained to use them. We expect that after completion of this project the monthly income of the artisans will increase upto50%.Though this outcome will depend upon market trends but it will be our endeavor to achieve 50% increase in income coupled with standard of living through our self devised strategies
7. Education:
In the field of education we aim at and are continuously
Building access to quality education (both in-school and out-of-school)for children from marginalized communities.
Expanding and improving early childhood care and education especially that of the girl child.
Enabling life skills and leadership skills among children, adolescents and youth.
Addressing the discrimination and structural barriers that prevent children from accessing education.
Strengthening child protection and child rights to enable‘at-risk’ children to access safe education and learning environments.
Addressing the social structures such as poverty, gender, information etc that prevent access to education or access to other basic amenities.
Facilitating any other approach or intervention that falls within the holistic definition of education.
8. HEALTH
In the field of health, we aim at and continuously
Building access to quality healthcare and health financing for marginalized communities.
Spearheading community-level health awareness and health education.
Developing local health solutions and health products.
Strengthening capacities of para-professional and professional healthcare service deliverers.
Going beyond the traditional definition of health, to strengthen the mental and social well-being of disadvantaged individuals and communities ; focussing on psycho-social health, disability, mental health and wellness.
Addressing social determinants of health such as poverty and gender.
9. Innovation: The innovation was initiated in the year 2015. It was a major change factor in the region. Nothing akin to this had ever been thought of and neither planned or executed. Ours was the first NGO that ventured into the field of apparels using applique and ajrak for modern day college and office going youth. This also included affordable stuff for furnishings keeping in mind studio apartments. The designs the patterns being traditional on one hand have a modern appeal to them. Our aim is to promote artisan welfare through better sales and also to conserve the folk and traditional art of Rajasthan. Applique , ajrakh, godhadi, mirror work, embroidery, block printing tie and dye together with experimentation with new colors & new fabrics were promoted though participation in various fashion shows at the national level & exhibitions at the national and international level
Our folk art is an extension of traditional art form combined with new designs ,textures, patterns & color scheming to help our artisans reach out to the national and international consumers alike. It is a unique amalgamation of tradition & modernity. We countinuously incorporate new colors schemes, prints ,patterns in designer wear and accessories Material used is pure cotton, organdi,pure malmal cotton & silk.designs are purely traditional based on the state of rajasthan's folk and tribal art. Method used is traditional which requires cutting with chisel and hammer for applique, wooden blocks & natural dyes for block printing, cauldrons, natural chemical free dyes and a forty days period for product completion on cotton and silk materials for ajrak. The idea behind the innovation is ‘Where traditional meets modern’
Our aims and objectives (a synopsis):
a) To safeguard the dying art of handicrafts and folk music we initiate art festivals in to generate interest of the youth in particular.
b) To teach banking awareness through the Banking Awareness / financial literacy Workshop, Make members learn how to handle financial aspects in their self help groups.
c) To enable members of the community to self motivate themselves for the sustainable livelihood options.
d) To help women explore the nearby market for the raw material as well as for the finished products.
e) To venture into product range from Apparels, Home Furnishing, Home Decoration, Accessories etc. The idea was to have prototype with the quality and difference, and that can be produced faster without any technical difficulty and have a fancy look. So can artisan gain more money for their work.
f) To change perspectives and subsequently help in change the outlook of community
g) To help artisans exhibhit their products at the world’s biggest international textile fair Heimtextile, Frankfurt, Germany, International furniture fare, Singapore, and Shilpi Abhiman, Srilanka to help them create new identity and employment at international level.
Video links:
1. https;//www.facebook.com/1043284692369393/videos/1899951273435833/
2. https://youtu.be/pdf11h-ThUa
3. https://youtu.be/JMxF0jqRMoc
4. https://youtu.be/OXtxNHxmwDo
5. https://m.facebook.com/story.ppp?story_fbid=1867593666648078&id=100001923876891
