Karnataka - Bidar   

The Zardosi way to self-reliance

Fruitful: Women embellishing saris with Zardozi work at a training centre in Bidar.

BIDAR: Training in Zardozi work (elaborate embroidery work using a variety of gold threads) has helped many women in Bidar become self-reliant.

Raheemunisa Khanam found herself in a difficult situation after her husband, a vegetable vendor, died four years ago. She approached Abdul Qadeer, secretary of Shaheen Educational Institutions for help. In order to help her and other women in trouble, Mr. Qadeer hired two professional Zardozi trainers from Hyderabad to provide free training to a group of women.

Ms. Khanam was among the women who were trained in the first year. She is currently training other women in Zardozi work.

“I am able to support my family and can educate my children after I learnt Zardozi work,” she said.

Surekha, a resident of Bidri colony here, discontinued her studies after PUC. She started learning Zardozi work to sustain her family.

Similarly, there are women from different areas such as Mailoor, Talwadi, Amilapur, Tamsapur, Chidri who are learning this work in order to support their households. Mehar Sultana, who heads the Shaheen Zardozi Karchob and Tailoring Centre here, said that women learned to embellish saris with Zardozi work. After they were trained they could use their skills to earn money and support their families, sitting at home.

Women at the centre are trained to embellish saris with chamki, moti, kundan, ring, kasab and glass work. People place orders and facilities are provided to market finished saris. There is a huge demand for saris with Zardozi work, especially during the wedding season, Ms. Sultana said. “The number of women being trained in Zardozi work has increased from 80 in the beginning to 400 last year.”

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