The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : ‘Desi’ spins a success story in weaving

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Friday, May 02, 2008
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Karnataka

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‘Desi’ spins a success story in weaving

Deepa Ganesh

‘Desi’ institutes award for those working
in the handloom sector
Bonus scheme for weavers announced

Rural entrepreneurship Most of the ‘Desi’ products are made at ‘Charaka,’ a woman’s cooperative at Bheemanakone village in Sagar taluk of Shimoga district.

BANGaLORE: “Desi” is a service organisation in Karnataka that works in the handloom sector. Most of its classy products are made at “Charaka,” a women’s cooperative at Bheemanakone village in Sagar taluk of Shimoga district, that has over 250 women involved in weaving, printing, dying and garment making.

The story of “Charaka” is a heartening one, in its emergence as a successful model in rural entrepreneurship. In its eight years of existence, “Desi” certainly has redefined fashion in its own unpretentious way. It now has a chain of stores in various parts of Karnataka and its bed linen and clothes — khadi, handloom and naturally dyed — are snapped up by both the faithful as well as the cool set.

First of its kind

“Desi” is now back to doing more exemplary work. It has instituted annual awards for weavers and organisations that have been working in the handloom sector. This, in fact, is the first of its kind in the country. Though the Directorate of Textiles gives awards to the weaving sector, it is mostly to service organisations.

Says Prasanna, the driving force behind “Desi”: “This is basically meant for people working in this sector. Many of them are vital links between the dispersed rural production system and the urban market. We are trying to recognise such people and also encourage more individuals and institutions to work in this sector.” The award carries a citation and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000. This year’s award goes to Babanna of Bellary Sarvodaya Khadi and Village Industries Sangha, Alur, and Dastakar Andhra.

Bonus scheme

“Desi” is also launching a bonus scheme for weavers. “Weavers are migrating to the cities. I’m very angry with this economy which spends crores of rupees on generating employment in urban areas and thereby causing the cities to crush under their own weight,” says Mr. Prasanna

Productivity-linked

This productivity-linked bonus scheme for all who are part of the supply chain for “Desi” includes the pre-loom process workers and weavers.

“Kambli,” the classic handloom woollen blanket, will also see a revival under the “Desi” brand. It has now set up a unit that makes bags, cushion covers and other accessories out of the material.

The award ceremony is at 11 a.m. on May 3 at Chitrakala Parishat.

The inaugural function will be followed by an exhibition of summer collections by “Desi” and Dastkar Andhra, and “kambli” products and Jaglur “khadi.” The exhibition will be on till May 6, 10.30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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