today and tomorrow

May 2011

Indian Handicrafts

Be with Them - 9 Sericulture - 17 Food Security Act -26

livelihoods May 2011

 Happy Buddha Purnima! Happy Mothers’ Day! Happy Rabindra Day! Let us thank our gurus, fathers and mothers for
what we are.
As we transit summer, elections, examinations and cricket, we await monsoon, T-action, and NRLM official national
launch!
Let there be fairness and equity in trade and all our dealings. Let the information and knowledge be open and freely
available to all. Let the biological and cultural diversity flourish! Let us get repelled by tobacco in any form!
Let us be ‘child’ again and again. Let us keep this universe for them. Let us keep the environment safe for them. Let
us improve it. Let us make it a habit to give blood every two quarters. Let us fight drought. Let us be in service of
others once a week (if not once a month). Let there be music all around for our better lives. Let us listen to it. Let us
dance to it.
As most of the human beings are in the business of their essential needs from the days of hunting/gathering life
style to agriculture age to industrial age to information age, some of them are have moved out of this task. Some got
into security/defence/policing; some got into priesthood; some got into providing artefacts, tools and instruments for
living; some got into giving clothes; some got into building houses; some got into entertaining – music, dance, writing
etc. As we progressed, the role of the father and mother as teachers has been partially taken over by a new tribe
‘teachers’. Artisanal groups, arts groups and crafts groups emerged. Some of them meet the needs of others and
some meet their own needs, some times higher order personal needs. All of them have been a single unit with
reciprocal dependence within.
As the self-reliant village economies gave way to regional, national and global market economies, the artisan, arts
and crafts sector is having mixed luck. Demand decides the price. Artificial market fluctuations are normal. Local
patronage, royal patronage, national patronage systems have collapsed. Many of the craftspersons are leaving the
craft for alternative livelihoods. The numbers are dwindling. It is no longer a passionate pursuit of a person.
Livelihood is at stake. Survival is at stake. Here and there, we see some collectives. We see some design inputs.
We see some efficiency measures, tool improvements, and mechanization. We see some raw material tie-ups and
subsidies. We see some buy back arrangements. We also see varying prices, often 100-1000 times from the
producer to the consumer. We also see the master craftsmen as new businessmen and middlemen-traders. The
craftspersons are their virtual slaves. There are Cooperatives and SHGs operate as craftsmen collectives but in
reality they are the ‘proprietary’ concerns of the master craftsmen. Other members are their mere workers/piece-rate
workers. Professional Collectives like Amul are still a long way away. A spectrum of organisations – community
organizations (some based on caste and some on craft), civic groups, trade unions, activist groups, academia, etc.,
are making some impact. On the whole, a sector that is showing significant decline over a period of time. Of course,
there are a large number of insignificant and irrelevant organizations in them.
Unfortunately, for most of these craftsmen, they are not poor with high local/royal patronage. Governments have to
recognise this trend and include them quickly in the disadvantaged. State’s interventions like MGNREGA, NRLM
etc., have to find ways to include them. E-ways of business, crafts-based tourism, new tax regimes, new acts for
collectives, new regulations for foreign contributions, changing donor perceptions etc., have a bearing on the future
of artisans, arts and crafts. Further, we see assertion movements. In this context, ‘livelihoods’ explored ‘handicrafts’.
Pupul Jayakar, popularly known as Czarina of Indian Crafts, devoted entire life in popularising and nurturing Indian
Crafts iin a variety of ways including India Festivals. Mamidipudi Venkata Rangaiaya Foundation (MVF) and Shanta
Sinha are synonymous with elimination of child labour. Next only to vegetables, fruit business centres, with fruits as
per the season, are dynamic enterprises requiring tact, linkages and meticulous planning. ‘Indian Textiles’, by
Nicholas Barnard and John Gillow, is a classic on Indian Textiles across the country. In ‘Kshetra’, livelihoods of
Sundarbans are discussed.
With the appreciation that Indian artisans and arts and craftspersons need responsive self-reliant collectivization,
design, value-addition and marketing support, I remain thinking of ways to collectivization of livelihoods/development
workers across.

G Muralidhar
the ‘livelihoods’ team

2 May 2011 livelihoods

 Inside ...

‘livelihoods’ team 10
Indian Handicrafts..
Editor-in-Chief G Muralidhar

Principal Editor T Nirmala India is known globally for its rich heritage of Arts and Crafts. The
handicrafts sector enjoys a special significance in the country's
Senior Editor K Bharathi economy in terms of employment generation and earnings of
Working Editor T Venkateshwarlu foreign exchange through exports.

Edit Associates G Bhargava

M Lavanya
S Laxman Viswakavi Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore 21
B Madhusudhan
V Muralidhar
M Nilendu
S Rekha
M Siddhartha Response 4
A Uma
News 5
G Madhu Vamsi
M Vijaybhasker Srinivas Legend Pupul Jayakar, the Czarina of Culture & 7
Heritage
Kshetra Livelihoods of ‘Sundarbans’ 8
Perspectives Be with Them! 9
Enterprise Fruits Business 15
Interview with If You Earn Rs 2, You Must Save Re 1… 16
Common Person
Subsector Sericulture 17
For Private Circulation only Development in Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiya Foundation 23
Action
Opinion Food Security Act 26

Context Crafts Marketing and Export Promotion 28

Scheme
Case studies Proper Planning Leads to Prosperous Life 29
Hasty Decision Makes Life Miserable
Interview with Grass I Like to Help Others... 30
root Activist
Books Indian Textiles 31
For enquiries contact:
AKSHARA Network for Development Story The Moon Lake 32
Support Services,
Trends Handicrafts’ Exports 33
HIG II B-25 F-6, APHB Colony,
Baghlingampally, Hyderabad - 500044
The Contrasts Milk Collection Centre 34
Mobile: 09951819345 Combs and Pins Selling
www.aksharakriti.org ‘Yoga’kshemam 35
[email protected]

livelihoods May 2011 3

 Response

Thanks for sending me the Livelihoods Magazine. I must tell you, with time the content,
professional touch and perspectives on issues related with livelihoods have come up
well. Let me tell you, it fills a very important gap in information and knowledge related to
livelihoods! Congratulations for making it better and better with time.
I hope, in the coming days, livelihoods must also include the dialogue on civil society
issues related to its engagement with social transformation, rights based approaches,
etc. This issue has begun a beginning and I wish all the best.
With regards,
Rajendran

Happy
Mothers’
Day
8 May

4 May 2011 livelihoods

 News
Credit Plan Target Rs.1 Lakh cr. Body, an initiative aimed to address Delay in Textbooks Supply May hit
Hyderabad: Chief Minister N. Kiran the challenge of water scarcity in Students: Puducherry with the Tamil
Kumar Reddy released the State India. CEO & Managing Director, Nadu government deciding to defer
Credit Plan for a projected target of Hindustan Unilever, said, “It is the implementation of the uniform
Rs.1,03,915 crore, including estimated that by 2030, supply of syllabus scheme (Samacheer Kalvi
Rs.73,316 crore for the priority sector, water in India would be half of the Thittam), the School Education
for 2011-12 at the State Level demand for it. This is a crisis that has Department here is in a bind and fears
Bankers' Committee (SLBC) meeting the potential to derail the economic the move might result in a delay in
here The plan projected an amount of and social development of the country supply of text books to the two regions
Rs.48,000 crore for agricultural sector, and impact the health and livelihoods - Karaikal and Puducherry - of the
Rs. 8,198 crore towards SMEs and of millions of people across the Union Territory, which are attached to
Rs.17,118 crore for other priority country. We at Hindustan Unilever the board in the neighbouring State.
sector advances. Releasing it, Mr. believe that what concerns the nation Senior officials said that while the
Reddy said the government was keen must concern us too. Therefore, we textbooks for all classes usually
to ensure that about 40 lakh tenant have launched India Water Body to reached the department by June,
farmers were provided loans. He said drive water security for the country by there was no information from the
a scheme of issuing ‘Loan Eligibility 2030”. Tamil Nadu Text Book Society as to
Card (LEC) to the eligible would be when the books would be supplied for
SAARC Meeting on Disaster
introduced from this kharif. Referring the coming academic year. Though
Response Draft Concludes: The
to SHG bank linkage target of Rs. the department had made enquiries
Hindu South Asia according to the
9,082 crore set for 2011-12, he called with the society, officials there were
global database on disasters, over the
for improving coverage in view of the non-committal about the date of
past forty years, South Asia faced as
marginalised role of MFIs in the State. supply. “Despite postponing the
many as 1,333 disasters that killed
Mr. Reddy lauded the banks for an reopening of schools to June 15, we
980 thousand people, affected 2.4
impressive performance and are not very hopeful the books would
billion lives and damaged assets
achieving Rs.72,878 crore, which was reach us by that time,” said an official.
worth US$ 105 billion. These totals
118 per cent of the credit plan target Students and teachers, who spoke to
are, by far, the highest among the
of Rs.61,685 crore during 2010-11. The Hindu on Wednesday, said that
recorded disasters in various
the delay would affect the
(Paddy crop damaged in recent geographic regions of the world.
performance of the students as
rains in Andhra Pradesh) Highlighting this, Fatimah Dhiyana
grasping the lessons without the book
Saied, Secretary-General of SAAR
in hand is difficult. “We are trying to
said in her address that every major
see if we could get the books from
earthquake in the Himalayas would
previous batch students and start the
affect more than one country; every
classes,” said S. Selvi, Principal of the
cyclone in the Bay of Bengal and the
Thiruvalluvar Government Girls
Arabian Sea has the potential to affect
Higher Secondary School.
two countries at a time; every major
flood has its origin and consequence India Launches UN Biodiversity
beyond a single country. The idea of Decade for Asia and the Pacific:
establishing a mechanism for rapid New Delhi (ABC Live): Indian Ministry
response to natural disasters had of Environment and Forests and the
been voiced at the 15th SAARC Convention on Biological Diversity
summit held in Colombo in 2008. launched the United Nations Decade
Since then, two expert level meetings on Biodiversity (2011- 2020) for Asia
were held to discuss various aspects and the Pacific, on 23rd May 2011. A
of the agreement, including security Stakeholders’ consultation on taking
and customs and immigration biodiversity conservation forward was
clearances required for setting up also held on the same day. At the
such a system in the region. The launch, Indian Minister for
mechanism is proposed to be created Environment and Forests Mr. Jairam
Hindustan Unilever's Initiative to under the already existing SAARC Ramesh welcomed the international
Address Water Scarcity: The Disaster Management Centre community to India, and said: ‘as a
HinduNitin Paranjpe (left), CEO and (SDMC). “South Asia supports one- mega-diverse nation and host of COP
Managing Director, and Executive fourth of humanity with less than 5 per -11 of the Convention on Biological
Director (Home and Personal Care cent of global income. This means Diversity, India stands committed to
Products), Hindustan Unilever Ltd. that poverty and deprivation that we the implementation of the three
The India Water Body will be face in South Asia puts us in a objectives of the Convention.
conducting a nation-wide study to situation of acute vulnerability. South Conservation is a national imperative
assess the demand-supply gap. Asia has the largest concentration of for us as lives and livelihoods of
Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) mega cities which are growing millions of rural and urban people are
announced the launch of India Water rapidly,” she added. dependent on its sustainable use.’

livelihoods May 2011 5

 News
This ten year ‘Strategic Plan’ includes panchayats,” World Bank lead contended that if protection of street
20 headline targets – called the ‘Aichi economist of social protection, In vending was left to the states it was
Targets’, and is organized under five addition, the capacity of PRIs unlikely that they would enact
goals. Some key targets include: at (Panchayati Raj Institutions) to legislation. They said the first policy
least halving the rate of loss of natural conduct their intended functions is on street vendors was formulated in
ecosystems; preserving at least 17 very weak,” it said. A range of 2004 and still such persons were
percent of terrestrial and inland functions - including planning, being harassed and evicted
waters and 10 percent of marine execution and monitoring - are mercilessly in all urban areas. “The
coastal areas; restoring at least 15 expected to be performed by them but national law can give the policy a
percent of degraded areas; and it is a difficult challenge, the report logical conclusion which has to be
making special efforts to reduce says. It also pointed out that field implemented at the ground level,” it
pressure on coral reefs. The United studies indicate “poor adherence to said, adding that the model bill
Nations General Assembly has transparency safeguards”. “In proposed by the Ministry of Housing
declared 2011 to 2020 as the UN practice, unavailable and fudged and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA)
Decade on Biodiversity (UNDB) with a master rolls continue to be a serious fell short of the aspirations of the
view of raising awareness about the issue. Job card entries are rarely street vendors. The NAC had sought
importance of biodiversity (or the made. In fact, job cards are not details on the policy from HUPA
variety of life on earth), and achieving always in the possession of the following communication from NASVI.
the Aichi Targets. household; instead the Sarpanch or
DEAUVILLE, France (Reuters) -
other local official may hold it. The
MGNREGS Gets Mixed Review Japan will continue to work on social
problems are exacerbated by low
From World Bank : The Hindu security reform and strengthening
Bangalore, the government’s flagship public finances, a senior government
News Highlights:
rural job guarantee scheme is official said , reacting to a downgrade
innovative and has achieved quite ∗ Corruption, Bribes have Be- of the country's outlook by Fitch
high coverage but faces challenges come a Way of Life Ratings."On the one hand, Japan is
like uneven implementation across ∗ Rail concession for differently working hard to rebuild. On the other
states and “some evidence” of abled extended. hand, it is a given that it works hard
leakage of funds, a new World Bank on fiscal soundness," Deputy Chief
report says. The Mahatma Gandhi ∗ Japan to continue reform ef- Cabinet Secretary told reporters at a
National Rural Employment forts Group of Eight summit in the northern
Guarantee Scheme has significantly ∗ Selective abortion prevented French seaside town of Deauville.
higher coverage compared to birth of millions of girls "Japan will continue to bravely face
previous public works programmes the challenges of social security
and “impressive inclusion” of ∗ India, World Bank sign 162.7 m reform and making its economy a
scheduled castes (31 per cent), dollar Rajasthan rural liveli- stronger one, which were being
scheduled tribes (25 per cent) and hoods project pact debated prior to the quake," he said.
women (50 per cent), it said, adding Fitch cut its outlook on Japan to
that MGNREGA serves as a model for negative from stable citing a
awareness of processes as well as
future reforms in other safety net considerable downside risk for its
high levels of illiteracy among
programmes. But the report also public finances from still unknown
MGNREG workers,” the report says.
pointed to “uneven implementation” of costs of containing a crisis at the
MGNREGA across States. While NAC for Central Law to Protect crippled nuclear power plant in
about 90 per cent rural households Livelihood of Street Vendors: The Fukushima.
reaped benefits of the scheme in National Advisory Council is expected
Selective Abortion Prevented Birth
Rajasthan and the coverage was to make suggestions on the issue of
of Millions of Girls Lancet :
between 60 to 80 per cent in Madhya having a central legislation to protect
Selective abortion of girls in India
Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, the the livelihood of over one crore street
prevented about 4.2 million to 12.1
percentage was less than 20 per cent vendors across the country. The
million girls from being born between
in States like Punjab, Haryana, Kerala advisory panel, headed by UPA
1980 and 2010, with the largest
and Gujarat. The report, the first Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, is
number of girls being aborted in the
comprehensive review of India’s anti- understood to be examining the
1990s, a latest survey has shown.
poverty initiatives which was started Model Street Vendors bill in this
Selective abortion of girls, especially
in 2004 after a request from the regard. The Government had earlier
for pregnancies after a firstborn girl,
Planning Commission, used data from favoured that States take the
has increased substantially in India.
ministries, national sample surveys responsibility for effective
Most of India's population now lives in
and World Bank studies. It said there implementation of the National Policy
States where selective abortion is
is “widespread unmet demand” for on Urban Street Vendors contending
common, says the study “Trends in
work and employment generated is that a central legislation in this regard
selective abortions of girls in India:
still less than the 100-day guarantee. may not be effective. In a
analysis of nationally representative
“The Localised studies also point to communication to the NAC, the
birth histories from 1990 to 2005 and
some evidence of leakage of funds National Association of Street
Census data from 1991 to 2011,”.

and delay in fund transfers to Vendors of India (NASVI) had

6 May 2011 livelihoods

 Legend

Pupul Jayakar, the Czarina of Culture & Heritage

Pupul Jayakar was an Indian cultural activist Export Corporation and
played an important role in
and writer, most known for her work revival. With her involvement
towards the revival of traditional and village in India’s second largest
arts, handlooms and handicrafts in post- economic sector after
independence India. She was a close friend agriculture, she brought a
radical change in the dress
and biographer to both the Nehru-Gandhi and style of the urban woman
family and spiritual teacher J Krishnamurti. in India. By inviting French
She was born in 11th September 1915 at Etawah, in Uttar designer Pierre Cardin to
Pradesh. Her father was liberal intellectual and senior India, she put Indian textiles
officer in the Indian Civil Service driven by the passion of on to the international map.
that generation to participate and determine change and Thereafter, many leading
growth. Her mother came from a Gujarati Brahmin family fashion designers from
routed in their strong cultural traditions. She had a brother Europe and America delved
and four sisters. Her father’s work took the family to any into the trove of Indian
parts of India, where she got the opportunity to absorb textiles using them for creations of high fashion. Fabrics
local crafts and traditions early on in life. from India made an impact on the world market.

She had schooling in Banaras (Varanasi) which was Pupul appointed as Indira Gandhi’s cultural adviser. She
started by Annie Besant, theosophist who was also active became the executive director and later chairman, of the
in Indian freedom movement. Subsequently her father got Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation of India. From
posted to Allahabad, where she first came in contact 1974 for three years she chaired the All India Handicrafts
Nehru family at age fifteen, as her father was a friend of Board (HHEC). She initiated the Festivals of India
Motilal Nehru. Subsequently she became friends with organized in London, Paris and America lasting several
Indira Gandhi. When she was eighteen, she left for months and Apna Utsav (“our festivals”) in early 1980s.
England to train as a journalist in Bedford College in She encouraged several painters and artists who are today
London, before graduating in Economics from the London household name in India. She was good organizer,
School of Economics in 1936. tirelessly promoting local hand-loom and handicraft
She married Manmohan Jayakar, a barrister in 1937 and products and established Indian National Trust for Art and
settled down in Bombay. She launched one Toy Cart, an Cultural Heritage (INTACH 1984) which was basically
english language children’s magazine illustrated by Jamini working on Art and Cultural Heritage. It was struggled to
Roy and M. F Hussain, two of India’s best-known painters. find a space for itself in the first decade. It identified
In 1940, she was appointed to the National Planning architects, researchers, volunteers who believed in
Committee headed by Prime Minister Nehru. In the course restoration and conservation of this multi-layered heritage,
of those year, she met Gandhiji twice, went to Sevagram and over the years, INTACH took on conservation studies
was exposed to Gandhian atitude. She admired him for the and projects and gradually established itself across India.
‘precision of his mind, his understanding of the nuts and She also opened several design workshops, devised
bolts of development’. marketing strategies to develop traditional crafts and
In 1942, the Quit India movement took her to the forefront started the National Crafts Museum in the late Eighties
of the agitation for freedom but a sudden attack of and, in 1990, the National Institute of Fashion Technology
appendicitis followed by surgery, kept her away from any in New Delhi. She traveled extensively to remote places in
active participation. Though she got chance to contest in India, seeking out local handicrafts and traditional skills
the elections in 1947, she declined. During this time she and was a cultural chameleon, at home in contrasting
met philosopher and theosophist Jiddu Krishnamurti and setting.
became a good disciple of him. Then she became involved Pupul Jayakar was one of the enduring supporters of the
in the handloom industry. She established the Weavers Hungry Generation literary movement in Bengal, India and
Service Centre in Chennai under the Ministry of Textiles. had helped the Hungryalists during their trial during 1961.
From 1959 on, Pupul worked towards moulding her ideas She was active with the Krishnamurti Foundation in India
and beliefs into reality. Jawaharlal Nehru invited her to until her death. She helped in the establishment of the
study the handloom sector and workout plans for its Krishnamurti Foundation in India, U. S. A., England and
revival, eventually she served as the Chairman of All some Latin American countries. She also played a great
Indian Handloom Board and Handicrafts and Handlooms part in running the Rishi Valley School at Madanapalle,
Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh.

livelihoods May 2011 7

 Kshetram

Livelihoods of ‘Sundarbans’
West Bengal in India is home to the world’s largest delta
and mangrove forests, the Sundarbans. The 20000 sq km
forest delta stretches across the lower reaches of the
Bengal basin. While 60 per cent of Sundarbans is in
Bangladesh the rest is in West Bengal in India. Between
India and Bangladesh, Sundarbans cover about one million
hectares of land and water. Sundarbans act as South
Asia’s largest ‘carbon sinks’. The Indian Sundarbans
occupy about 9630 square kilometer in the North and
South 24 Paraganas of West Bengal and are bounded by
River Muriganga in the West, River Raimangal in the East,
Bay of Bengal in the South and Dampier Hodges line in the
North. There are 102 islands of which 54 are inhabited by
about 4 million people.
are available in this region, but the availability of fish has
Although gazetted as a reserved forest, the Sundarbans been gradually decreasing during the recent years.
currently provides more employment, more revenue and
more income from non-wood forest produces (Golpata, , One of the major aquatic destruction activity in Sunderbans
honey, grass etc.), fisheries resources (shrimp fry, fin fish, region is the collection of Shrimp fry which is done by both
crabs, shells) and herbal medicinal plants. men and women. A vast majority of the landless
households living in this region are involved in shrimp fry
It was observed that the majority of people in Sundarbans collection. Though this activity is contributing significantly
are engaged as agricultural labour (66-79%). It was also to the incomes of households, the prolonged fishing
observed that agriculture, in spite of being the main periods with the nets lead to the long-term negative impact
occupation of the people in Sundarban, is not high yielding to the aquatic bio-diversity and reduction in fish production.
(only 10 quintals per hectare for the main crop) due to
salinity of the soil, which prevents optimum growth of Beetle leaf cultivation, livestock rearing, shell craft making,
agricultural crops. Around 50% of agricultural laborers are small enterprises are some of the other important
landless. Therefore, the Reserve Forest area serves as the livelihood activities of Sunderban region. Some people also
buffer for their survival and though the percentages of migrate to other parts of the country to work as labour
NTFP collectors are less (varying from 6-9%), the mainly in the construction industry.
contribution of NTFPs is enormous in the total annual Tourism is also generating livelihoods to a good number of
household income (79%). people in this region. The bio diversity of the region with its
The livelihood of nearly 2 million people is linked with the rich flora and fauna offers scope even for eco-tourism and
non-agricultural sources, which mainly include fishing and health tourism.
allied activities from the rivers and creeks as one of the The livelihoods of Sunderbans are facing high risk due to
major sources of income. However, Sundarban being a the increased occurrences of coastal floods and coastal
biosphere reserve and is a protected area under the IUCN erosion. The proportion of consumer rupee realized by the
Category 1A imposes several restriction for the collection people of this area for their produces is very low due to
of the NTFPs from forest areas. But, certain relaxations isolation, lack of infrastructure and the characteristic
have been made for the collection of few specific NTFPs, behavior of the nature.
which are mostly animal based like honey, fishes and
crabs. Nearly 19-25% of the households are engaged in A typical household of this area lives in high risk of loss of
fishing activities while 15-20% are engaged in honey employment, loss of produce and income and expenditure
collection. without incomes, in addition to lower productivity in kharif.
Self-supporting collective diversification mechanisms to
Collecting the leaves and fruits of Golpata is another help one another in times of distress, survival support
important livelihood of the people at Sundarbans. Golpata during the crisis, embankment maintenance funds,
or Nypa palm (Nypa fruticans) is a versatile species of ‘shelters’ for people and produce etc., will be useful.
palm tree. Economically it is the most important source of
non-wood produce of plant origin. Golpata collection starts Biodiversity of Sundarbans and Mangroves offer scope for
from mid November to mid March. Honey and Bee wax producing a variety of herbs that have local use and
are also collected in the Sunderban forests which is mostly market outside. Local value addition of the products,
done by the poorest sections of the community. vocational training to women and youth are some of the
options that can be considered for improving livelihood
Fishing is yet another important livelihood which is mostly opportunities for the people of Sunderbans.

done from mid June to mid August. Large varieties of fish

8 May 2011 livelihoods

 Be with Them!
Happy Buddha Purnima! Vande Jagadgurum! Happy problems posed by the urban transformation that is
Mothers’ Day! Vande Prathamagurum! likely to occur, and (d) ensuring protection of the envi-
The mini elections in the country brought Jayalaithaa and ronment in a manner that can facilitate rapid growth.
Mamata forward. IPL Cricket ended. Monsoon is on its way. Finally, the efficiency in implementation of projects on
T-sentiment back to the fore. the ground needs to be greatly improved. … Evi-
dence-based evaluation is critical for redesign and
Some stirrings for May Day, Mothers’ Day (8 May) and
World No Tobacco Day (31 May)! Many International Days prioritization…”
just passed by – for instance - Fair Trade Day (14 May – It is in this context, we have to see the national launch of
second Saturday in May), Family Day (15 May), Information the National Rural Livelihoods Mission at Banswara, Ra-
Society Day (17 May), and Diversity Days (21 and 22 May). jasthan on 3 June 2011. The constitution of the working
We await Children’s Day, Environment Day, Day Against group on NRLM by the planning commission has to be
Child Labour, Music Day, Public Service Day etc. Of seen in this light. The framework of NRLM that is made
course, I also look forward to Fathers’ Day. available provides for grounds-up planning. Each state pre-
Gurudev Vishwakavi Rabindranath Tagore and his Gitanjali sents its own perspective plan for appraisal and implemen-
were remembered – tation. It needs to take the role of converging all that hap-
pens to the poor or for the poor. These include Mahatma
“Thou hast made me endless, such is thy pleasure. …At the im- Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in imple-
mortal touch of thy hands my little heart loses its limits in joy and mentation for more than five years now and the National
gives birth to utterance ineffable …
Food Security Act that is in the pipeline. Right to Education
Life of my life, I shall ever try to keep my body pure, knowing that and National Rural Health Mission have to be built into the
thy living touch is upon all my limbs …I ask for a moment's indul- portfolio.
gence to sit by thy side …Now it is time to sit
quite, face to face with thee, and to sing dedica- Perspectives While doing so, it is important to distin-
tion of live in this silent and overflowing leisure. I guish a neighbourhood school from a Gu-
have spent my days in stringing and in unstring- rukulam or a Navodaya school. Their ad-
ing my instrument …In the night of weariness let G Muralidhar missions have to be strictly governed by
me give myself up to sleep without struggle, the merit-based selection criteria.
resting my trust upon thee ….
The poverty-based census has to be seen in this context
He came and sat by my side but I woke not … why do I ever miss
his sight whose breath touches my sleep? … which automatically excludes certain households, which
automatically includes certain households and the last cate-
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where gory based on some ranking. We still need to understand
knowledge is free; …Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let
how this process is more fool-proof than the earlier 17 fac-
my country awake.
tor BPL enumeration. We still need to see the numbers how
All that I am, that I have, that I hope and all my love have
they compare with the Tendulkar’s estimates. Can we not
ever flowed towards thee in depth of secrecy ….let all mythink of universal inclusion in the remotest and/or the poor-
life take its voyage to its eternal home in one salutation to
est locations for all these? Can we not think of universal
thee. The streams of thought and work that dominated the inclusion of certain communities? Can we not bring in self-
month include institutions, livelihoods, vulnerable, and selection that is a part and parcel of MGNREGA, into this?
workers. Can we not develop standard exclusion criteria like govern-
Montek Singh Ahluwalia writes on Twelfth Plan (in Eco- ment job, four-wheeler, pucca house, irrigated land etc.?
nomic and Political Weekly) – “… We have done well on We know that disadvantaged benefit being in collectives.
the growth front, but not so well on inclusion ... Much We need Acts that allow independent people’s institutions
of what needs to be done to accelerate GDP growth of the poor and disadvantaged flourish. Non-interfering Mu-
to 9% or so will be done by the private sector, but the tually Aided Cooperative Acts or Self-reliant cooperative
central and state governments have a crucial role to Acts need to be pre-cndition for NRLM roll-out in a state.
Better still, Union Government itself may encourage forma-
play in providing a policy environment that is seen as tion of Producers’ (value-adders, service providers, users,
investor friendly and is supportive of inclusive growth. consumers included) Companies under Companies’ Act or
… The government’s own resources have to be de- come up with an act for SHG Federations to accommodate
ployed with a clear sense of priority - health and edu- all their special and peculiar needs.
cation and critical infrastructure development, espe- Let us love. Let us learn and love to work with the poor,
cially in water management and rural infrastructure, their true institutions and the institutions that support them.
and infrastructure development in backward areas Let us improve their capitals. Let us better their contexts.
must have top priority. …. Let us earn, learn, love, give and be with them. Let us be
Four critical challenges facing the economy in the with them through their thick and thin. Let us leave behind
Twelfth Plan - (a) managing the energy situation, (b) the legacy of being with them. Let us build the movement of
managing the water economy, (c) addressing the being with them.

livelihoods May 2011 9

 Cover Story

Indian Handicrafts
India is known globally for its rich heritage of Arts and Crafts. The handicrafts sector
enjoys a special significance in the country's economy in terms of employment generation
and earnings of foreign exchange through exports. Many agricultural and pastoral
communities depend on their traditional craft skills as a secondary source of income in
times of drought, lean harvests, floods or famine. In the era of Globalization and
mechanization, protecting and preserving the traditional skills of Indian artisans while
ensuring that they provide viable livelihood option for their owners is a great challenge.
“livelihoods” attempts to understand the problems, challenges and opportunities that are
associated with the Indian Handicrafts sector.

10 May 2011 livelihoods

Handicrafts are a unique expression of a country’s culture,
tradition and heritage. India has a history of rich and
diverse culture and tradition. And among its diversity, the
legacy of India’s craft culture always occupies a special
place owing to its beauty, dignity, form, style and
aesthetics.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) defined “Handicrafts” as products
which are produced either completely by hand or with the
help of tools. Mechanical tools may be used as long as the
direct manual contribution of the artisan remains the most
substantial component of the finished product. Handicrafts are engaged in the entire supply chain of handicrafts
are made from raw materials and can be produced in products. As per the survey of National Council for Applied
unlimited numbers. Such products can be utilitarian, Economic Research (NCAER), of the total workforce
aesthetic, artistic, creative, culturally attached, decorative, engaged in Indian handicrafts industry, about 47% are
functional, traditional, religiously and socially symbolic and women while 37% of the workforce coming under the
significant. backward communities like Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled
The Government of India defined “Handicrafts” as the Tribes. Many craftspeople themselves express the strong
products which are made by hand; should have some desire to remain in their traditional profession. And although
artistic value; they may or may not have functional utility. It many are highly talented and extremely skilled in their own
is a fact that Indian handicrafts have very ancient origin and craft form, most are poorly educated or illiterate and come
of high quality. They have customarily received royal and from caste groups of low social status.
aristocratic patronage and handicrafts men were honoured The Handicraft sector is highly creative sector and
by other communities. produces large variety of crafts products. This industry is
Handicrafts play very important role in representing the localized segment of the domestic and international market.
culture and traditions of any country or region. Handicrafts The sector is highly labour intensive, cottage based and
are a substantial medium to preserve of rich traditional art, decentralized industry. The total worth of India’s handicrafts
heritage and culture, traditional skills and talents which are industry stood at $100 billion per annum and India’s share
associated with people’s lifestyle and history. Handicrafts in the world handicraft’s market is 1.2%.
also play important role in terms of economic development Handicrafts industry comprises diversified products portfolio
as they provide ample opportunities for employment even and there is large variety available in market. Handicrafts
with low capital investments and become a prominent products can be distinguished into Metal ware, Wood ware,
medium for foreign earnings. Hand printed textiles, Embroidered and crocheted goods,
In India, Handicrafts form an important sector of the Shawls, Carpets, Bamboo products, Zari goods, Imitation
economy, contributing substantially to manufacturing jewellery, Paintings, Earthenware, Jute products, Marble
income, employment, and exports, and the scale of these Sculpture, Bronze Sculpture, Leather Products and other
contributions is increasing. The part-time, rural nature of miscellaneous handicrafts. These products can be
much crafts activity also complements the lifestyles of many classified into two categories: articles of everyday use and
crafts workers, provides supplementary income to seasonal decorative items. Of these diverse range of products textile
agricultural workers and part-time income to women, and based handicrafts form an important segment and is
provides craftspeople with the means to remain in their concentrated in many pockets across the country. Hand
traditional villages, where alternative employment printed textiles including block and screen printing, batik,
opportunities are limited. In India more than 8 million people kalamkari (hand printing by pen) and bandhani (tie and die)
including a large number of women are employed in are used in products ranging from bed-covers to sheets,
handicrafts industry directly. These crafts persons are dress material to upholstery and tapestry. The famous
provided with inherent skill, technique and traditional embroidered articles of silk and cotton, often embellished
craftsmanship. It is estimated that another 15 million people with mirrors, shells, beads, and metallic pieces are also

livelihoods May 2011 11

Handicrafts Centers of India:
Handicraft industry in India is spread throughout the country with greater concentration in rural and suburban areas of
country.
Metal ware and Bronze sculpture:
Major Manufacturing units are located in Moradabad, Sambhal, Aligarh, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Delhi, Thanjavur, Jagadhari etc.
Wooden art ware and sculpture:
Major Manufacturing units are located in Sharanpur, Nagina, Hoshiarpur, Srinagar, Amritsar, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bangalore,
Mysore, Behrampur etc.
Embroidered item:
Manufacturing Units are located in Kutch, Jaisalmer, Baroda, Lucknow, Jodhpur, Agra, Amritsar, Kullu and Srinagar.
Marble and soft stones crafts:
Agra, Madras, Bastar and Jodhpur are famous for these craft products.
Paper Crafts:
These manufacturing units are located in places of Kashmir and Jaipur.
Terracotta units are located in state of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bastar.
Hand printed textiles and scarves:
Amroha, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Farrukhabad, Bagru and Sanganer consist of manufacturing units.
Zari and zari products are manufactured at units located at Surat, Agra, Varanasi and Amritsar.
Imitation Jewelry:
Parts of Delhi, Moradabad, Sambhal, Jaipur and Kohima consist of manufacturing units for these jewelry products.

found in India. Embroidery is done too on leather, felt and wood articles. The intricately carved stoneware made of
velvet etc. This segment of the industry accounts for marble, alabaster or soapstone, etc., inlaid with
almost half a million strong employment in addition to a semiprecious stones carry on the heritage of Indian stone
large number of designers, block makers, weavers and crafts.
packers involved in the trade.
Glass and ceramic products are a fast upcoming segment
Brass, copper, bronze, bell metal etc are used for a variety in the handicrafts from India. The age-old production
of wares and in a variety of finishes. Scintillating process of mouth-blowing the glass instills a nostalgic
ornaments are available in a wide range of patterns, styles feeling. The varied shapes of ceramic and glass in a
and compositions. Made from precious metals, base number of colours, would appeal to Western aesthetics
metals, precious and semi-precious stones; these while retaining the Indian touch.
ornaments have traditional as well as modern styles.
The craftsmen and craftswomen who create these different
Wooden articles in India range from the ornately carved to handicrafts often have learned their art as a hereditary
the absolutely simple. One can find toys, furniture, profession and are taught from infancy. Some skills are so
decorative articles, etc. bearing the art and individuality of intricate and so specialized (such as the famous thewa
the craftsman. India is known particularly for its lacquered gold filigree-on-glass jewelry or the grinding of local stones
and minerals into paint pigments) that the manufacturing
process is a secret still closely guarded by a small number
of families. Others acquire their individual luster through
lifelong apprenticeship and practice. Some are regional
specialties, whose techniques, motifs, and materials make
them instantly identifiable; others are found, with some
variation, in communities throughout India. What all the
many thousands of beautiful and unique craft expressions
in India have in common, though, is that the weavers,
potters, carvers, painters, embroiderers, goldsmiths, and
others who create such beauty with consummate skill and
knowledge enjoy few of the fruits of their labor.
When it comes to the marketing of the handicraft products,
there are majorly three channels of distribution. Retailers/
direct sales is the most common distribution channel for
selling handicrafts in India. There are large numbers of
retailers who provide wide range of products in India. Apart
from retail and direct sales channels, wholesalers and

12 May 2011 livelihoods

 In a global context, the International Trade Centre (ITC)
points out that support to crafts has "become a must on the
path towards poverty alleviation and environment
protection, two topical and compelling concerns
worldwide". The growing interest in the role that crafts can
play in the development process has also led to increasing
involvement in this area by a great many international
organizations and agencies, among them the International
Development Bank (IDB), the International Labour
Organization (ILO), UNESCO, the United Nations Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO), the World Intellectual
Property Organization (WIPO), and others.
However, all these interventions have not much benefited
the rural crafts persons. Though the volume of trade and
earnings in the sector has increased multifold, the growth
has not helped in improving the status of the poor artisans.
Further, they are fallen into much dire situations. They are
many problems that led them to this situation. Though
some problems are specific to the concerned craft items,
distributors also provide large range of handicraft products.
some basic problems are common to all and the most
Wholesalers can keep product stock in bulk and can sell
important of them are as follows.
direct to final consumer or retailer. Internet has emerged
as a one of the promising distribution channel for selling As there has been the evolution of the modern market
the handicrafts products. It is estimated that internet will be economy, the artisans have lost their holds over the old
one of the major channel for the distribution of handicrafts patron-client business network and jajmani relationship. In
products through E-Commerce. Easily availability on global the globalization times, though with their products going
basis and cost effective way has made Internet a good global and increasing demand for it, there is a rise in the
marketplace to buy, sell, and promote the products. handicraft sector economy, still the artisans have become
increasingly dependent on middle men and trader
Handicraft sector in India has emerged as one of the major
entrepreneurs who pay the artisans wages on piece rate
contributors for Export and foreign earnings. India's major
bases. The low bargaining power of the artists in a
export markets are USA, Germany, UK, France and Japan,
liberalized and comparatively more competitive market has
Saudi Arabia, Canada, and Italy etc and wide range of
forced the artisans to depend upon the middle-men. The
products like Art Metal wares, Wood wares, Hand printed
government’s initiative to create cooperatives has not
textiles, Embroidered and Crocheted goods, Shawls as art
become much successful. Craft workers who have little
wares, Zari goods, Imitation jewelry, Carpets, Leather
formal education and are rarely organized are subject to
products, Jute products, Paintings, Bamboo products,
many exploitative work conditions.
Earthen ware, Marble Sculpture, Bronze Sculpture etc are
exported to these countries. Artisans generally lack knowledge of and access to means
of increasing quality and productivity, especially in the
Recognizing its importance in the country’s economy,
areas of skill development, design input (to meet market
Government of India has taken many steps to supplement
requirements), and technical innovation (in such areas as
the efforts of concerned states (as handicrafts is a state
laborsaving methodology, standardization, productivity
subject as per the Constitution) for the promotion of
enhancement, and environmental concerns and consumer
handicrafts sector. Many schemes such as Baba Saheb
safety).
Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana, Marketing Support and
Service Scheme, Design and Technology Upgradation Crafts producers suffer greatly from lack of working capital
Scheme, Training and Extension Scheme etc were and access to credit and loan facilities. The producer who
introduced by the Government to help the crafts persons in receives a large order will often not be able to find the
achieving better gains from the production and marketing funds necessary to purchase raw material in bulk, or to
of handicrafts. support the family while the work is in process. And the
irony is that the amounts that could make a real difference
Apart from the above schemes, the government is also
to the crafts producer are often extremely modest. Various
taking special measures for promotion and development of
credit schemes are available to craftspeople, primarily
crafts by encouraging the artists through awards and by
through government institutions, but it is difficult for the
popularizing the products through exhibitions and
uneducated artisan to understand and access these
establishing handicraft emporiums. Besides, the All India
programs, and it is often impossible for a poor craftsperson
Handicrafts Board was established in 1952 to study the
to manage the necessary collateral or funds for required
problems confronting the handicrafts, to improve and
bribes.
develop the production techniques and new designs to suit
the changing tastes and to promote marketing in India and A major disadvantage of life in the "unorganized sector" is
abroad. the total lack of civic, professional, and social service

livelihoods May 2011 13

infrastructure. The individual craftsperson suffers from all of government, not half-heartedly with a withdrawal
these problems. Scarce and irregular electricity, lack of motivation, rather with sincere and genuine efforts. The
good roads, and absence of transportation facilities are government should spend more money in this sector in
professional problems as well as daily aggravations. Craft- promoting and marketing the crafts and giving training to
specific professional infrastructure—work sheds, storage the artists.
space, shipping and packing facilities—is totally lacking for
In addition, various co-operatives, voluntary associations
most rural crafts producers. And social services
also need to put sincere efforts for the better working
infrastructure—insurance, pension plans, medical care—is
condition of the artists. Some NGOs have already started
something beyond hope.
supporting the traditional crafts with various varieties of
In addition to these practical problems, the craftsperson in interventions. For example DWARAKA (Development of
most cases gets little recognition or tangible reward for Weavers and Rural Artisans in Kalamkari Art), an
extraordinary skill or talent. This lack of professional organization supports hundreds of Kalamkari artists of
respect is at least partially because crafts production in Andhra Pradesh by providing loans for the education of
India is still linked to caste status, and crafts-producing their children and providing medical and marriage
communities, with very few exceptions, are at the lower expenses. Similarly ‘Dastakar’, an NGO, facilitates skilled
levels of the social scale. artisans from different states to sell their products through
its various exhibitions. These kind of efforts need to be
Further, the crafts producer has little means of protecting
scaled up and replicated across all kinds of handicrafts and
individual creative innovations or traditional community
craft persons.
knowledge. Copying is a way of life in India, and
exploitation is pervasive at every level. Dealers and The production base in Indian handicrafts sector is much
designers freely appropriate designs of traditional artisans. unorganized. The craftsmen use traditional tools and
Crafts producers who specialize in unique, time-consuming techniques for which the production base is very weak. So,
processes suffer competition from cheap knockoffs in local for improvement in the quality of production, it is necessary
markets. And craftspeople themselves often leak unique to upgrade the skill of the artists who should be supplied
designs belonging to their clients to the highest bidder. On with quality raw material and adequate financial assistance.
a larger scale, a recent trend has been for buyers to have At the same time care should be taken for innovation but it
samples designed and produced in India, but manufactured should not root out originality. Besides, the marketing and
in bulk in China or Southeast Asia. The original producer, export of the products need special attention. The
needless to say, benefits from this not at all. craftsmen should also be properly exposed to the market
leaving a little room for the intrusion of the middlemen.
It has also been observed that many quotidian crafts are
replaced by cheap machine made finished items these Various developmental institutions like World Bank, Asian
days. Plastic sandals are replaced by the leather made Development Bank and UNESCO etc are considering the
chappals, clay pottery items are being replaced by plastic handicrafts sector as an important source of employment
plates, jugs etc. creation and are viewing the support the extended to this
industry as an investment in development rather than
As a consequence of all these problems, most of the artists
expenditure. This shift in understanding, if happened across
are now a days choosing to shift to other professions rather
all the stakeholders of the sector, will go a long way in
than to stick into their hereditary occupation. A UN report
reviving the sector.
suggests that over the past three-four decades in India the
number of artisans has declined by at least 30 % with many India's rapidly burgeoning middle class, in search of an
joining the ranks of casual labourers and the informal identity that is both Indian and contemporary, provides a
economy. natural and growing market for a utilitarian yet aesthetic
It is high time for providing fuller support, both financial and handcrafted product at a price that is competitive and cost-
skill based, from the government to the local yet valuable effective. We cannot afford to ignore these new markets
crafts persons of our great cultural heritage since once lost and needs. Craft products will have to be developed
nothing can replace it. The illiterate poor artists and the differently, marketed and promoted in innovative and varied
vulnerable crafts still need strong support from the ways, if they are to compete and survive.

14 May 2011 livelihoods

 Enterprise

Fruits Business
In Nallakunta, before Sai Baba Temple, we see a fruit vendor, Md.Mahaboob. He is a Muslim and he is unmarried.
His age is about 22 years. In his family, he has mother and father. He told that his father is a government em-
ployee. Before this fruit business he was a driver.
He belongs to Bidar district in Karnataka. He studied up to 7th standard in government school. By listening to the
ideas of other he came to Hyderabad city 4 years ago. He will sell many types of fruits like Mangoes, Apples,
Grapes, Oranges etc. At present he is selling various types of mangoes.
He not only do this fruit business but also sells different types of news papers in the morning. Daily he earns up to
Rs.50 to Rs.80 on this papers and he will earn nearly Rs.1500 to Rs.2000 per month. He reduces the price of un-
sold mangoes up to 20% of original price. He will pay rent Rs.10,000 per month for his shop.

Details Price Details Price

Expenditure: Income:
Purchase of mangoes: Rasalu (Rs.40/kg) (40x45kg) Rs.1800
Rasalu (Rs.30/kg) (30x50kg) Rs.1500 Banginpally (Rs.30/kg) Rs.2100
(30x70kg)
Banginpally (Rs.22/kg) (22x80kg) Rs.1760 Thotthapari (Rs.25/kg) Rs.500
(25x20kg)
Thothapari (Rs.20/kg) (20x30kg) Rs.600 Coconut Mango (Rs.20/fruit) Rs.300
(20x15fruits)
Coconut Mango (Rs.15/fruit) (15x20 fruits) Rs.300 Income per day Rs.4700
Expenditure per day: Rs.4160 Income per month (Rs.4700 Rs.1,41,000
x 30 days)
Expenditure per month: (Rs.4160 x 30 Rs.1,24,800 Low quality:
days)
Rent for shop: Rs.10,000/ Rasalu (Rs.35/kg) (35x5kg) Rs.175

Total expenditure per month: ( Rs.1,24,800 Rs.1,34,800 Banginpally (Rs.25/kg) Rs.375

+ Rs.10,000) (25x15kg)
Loss: Rotten mangoes or damaged mangos Thothapari (Rs.21/kg) Rs.108

Rasalu (Rs.30/kg) (30x5kg) Rs.150 Coconut Mango (Rs.18/fruit) Rs.54

(18x3 fruits)
Banginpally(Rs.22/kg)(22x5kg) Rs.110 Income per day: Rs.712

Thothapari(Rs.20/kg)(20x2kg) Rs.40 Income per month from low Rs.21,360

quality fruits:
(Rs.712x30days)
Coconut Mango(15/fruit)(15x2fruit) Rs. 30
Loss per day Rs.330 Total Income : Rs. 1,62,360
(Rs.1,41,000 + Rs.21,360)
Loss per month(330x30days) Rs.9900 Total Expenditure : Rs. 1,44,780
Total Expenditure including loss: Rs. 1,44,780
(1,34,800+9900) Profit per month Rs. 18,560
Md.Mahaboob setup his shop 4 years ago. He will sell all kinds of fruits through out the year. He created a new
system for the convenience of his customers, that is card system. In this system customer should pay the amount
per month ,so that they can take fruits every day from 1kg to 5kg. These customers will get reduction in price as
they pay money every month. He has some competition with other fruit vendors, but the way he receives his cus-
tomers makes him a good profits. In his he has got 2 workers one help him in maintenance of his shop and other
goes for door deliveries. In this way he has got some name as a good fruit vendor.

livelihoods May 2011 15

 Interview with Common Person

If You Earn Rs 2, You Must Save Re 1...

Janardhan Reddy lives at Nachineri village,
Yerpedu mandal, Chittor district. He is a
farmer.' Livelihoods’ interviewed Janardhan
Reddy to know about his journey…

Q: What is your name? What is your age?

A: I am Janardhan Reddy. I am 50 years old.
Q: What is the name of your village?
A: My village is Nachinerri Village at Erpedu Mandal in
Chittur district.
Q: How many members are there in your family?
A: In my family, my elder brother, sister-in-law and their
children, my wife and my children, overall 9 members in
my family.
Q: What did you study?
A: I just studied till class 5.
Q: What is the status of your family before 10 years?
Q: How did you earn these assets?
A: We have an acre of land that time, we all worked daily
wage for family survival. With those earnings we spent on A: From the beginning we use fewer laborers in agriculture
household needs and children education and the rest we and also we do more outside labour work. Whatever
saved. money we earn we spend less money on for family needs
remaining we save carefully.
Q: Beyond labor work do you do any other work?
Q: Tell something about your children education?
A: We have an acre of land, we cultivated paddy on that.
We have also 2 goats and 5 sheep. A: Our children is not being like us, we are studying them
as doctor and engineering courses. When they come in
Q: Who has been taking care of the family earnings? holidays they go to NREGS works, they don’t feel bad.
A: My elder brother Mr.subba Reddy has been taking care Q: For the agricultural usage did you purchase anything in
of our family income for long time, for past three years of these days?
savings we have purchased 2 acres of land.
A: We purchased sprayer and one tractor. We get some
Q: Do you have water sources for your land? income from that also.
A: We have a water source, we cultivated yearly once. Q: How much income do you get in a year?
Q: What do you do the entire cultivated paddy? A: We get Rs. 3 lakh from agriculture, Rs. 60,000/- from
A: We keep some for the home needs and the remaining is labour work.
we sell when ever the price is in high. Q: How much amount do you save excluding expenditure?
Q: Where is the paddy sell? A: We save Rs. 2 lakh per year excluding all expenses.
A: The businessmen come to our village, we sell them. Q: Do you give any suggestions to others?
Q: Do you have the agricultural equipments? A: In life if you earn 2 Rs, you must save 1 Rupee in that
A: Yes, we have all kinds of agriculture related saving, that is the smartness of every individual, and they
equipments, 5 years back we dug a bore well, since then will surely come up in life. In agricultural you don’t depend
we have started cultivation of ground nut. on labours, and we should store whenever we get high
Q: Presently how many acres of land do you have? price then only we sell. If every one follow these they are
good in life.

A: We have 8 acres of land, one tractor and 3 bore wells.

16 May 2011 livelihoods

 Subsector

Sericulture
Since ages, silk and silk fabrics have
attracted mankind and have found their
place among the most valued and elegant
human fabrics. Sericulture is both an art
and science of raising silkworms for silk
production.
Silk as a wearable fiber was first discovered by the Chinese
empress Xi Ling Shi during 2,640 B.C. and its culture and
weaving was a guarded secret for more than 2,500 years
by the Chinese.
Silk was a profitable trade commodity in China. Traders
from ancient Persia used to purchase richly coloured and
fine textured silks from Chinese merchants. The history of
sericulture in India dates back to even pre-Buddhist period.
In India sericulture got rich patronage from kings or
emperors. The British Raj particularly was interested in
sericulture due to the world situation involving China and
Japan during the world war periods as also to collect raw
material for its own use.
In independent India, initially sericulture was export
oriented. The export item was not raw silk, but finished silk
fabrics. Today sericulture has gained new importance as
agro-economic practice for rural development, generation are fed on leaves of oak, asan and arjuna trees. Tasar
of self-employment, empowerment of women and export constitutes a minor share of about 2% in total silk. Eri Silk is
earnings. Moreover, sericulture fits in to the scheme of multi a fine quality silk spun from cocoons of silkworms belonging
- farming system practices in many of the rural villages in to saturniidae family, which are fed on castor leaves. Unlike
India with farmers having marginal land holding. other kind of silk, this cannot be reeled and hence it is only
spun. It has natural copperish colour. Eri has about 8%
India has the distinction of commercially producing all four
share in the total silk market. Muga Silk is a coarse variety
varieties of silk – mulberry silk and non-mulberry silk
of silk produced from cocoons of silk worms belonging to
including tasar, eri and muga. Mulberry silk is a fine quality
saturniidae family, which are fed on Som and Soalu leaves.
silk that is produced from silkworms reared on mulberry
It has a rich golden colour. Its market share is less than
tree leaves and has the major share of about 90% in total
1%.Mulberry silk is produced mainly in Karnataka, West
silk sector. Tasar silk is a coarse quality silk reeled from
Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, Tamil Nadu and Andhra
cocoons of silkworms belonging to saturniidae family, which
Pradesh although some other States have made
some progress in this direction under their
development plans. Tasar silk is mainly produced in
Jarhkhand, Bihar, Chattishgarh, Madhya Pradesh,
Orissa and West Bengal & Andhra Pradesh. Eri
yarn is produced in Assam, Bihar, Manipur,
Meghalaya, Nagaland and West Bengal. Muga silk
is predominantly produced in Assam. The climate in
NE India is suitable for growth of non-mulberry
silkworms – muga and eri. The number of
sericulture villages in NE region is about 38000 to
40000. Geographic Indication Right has been
conferred to muga silk yarn.
Indian sericulture is unique in several ways. While it
is the only country that commercially produces all
the four types of silk, it is the only country that is
consuming over 80 percent of the silk fabric
production within the country. India is the second

livelihoods May 2011 17

largest producer of silk in the world, next to China, and has
15.52% share in global raw silk production. The World
production of raw silk as on 2009 was 1,26,995 M.T. China
produces 1,04,000 M.T. being the first in the World. India
produced 21,005 M.Ts of silk (during 2010-11) which is the
second largest producer in the World. Brazil, Thailand
Uzbekistan and Vietnam are also producing silk around 700
to 1000 M.T. in a year. India produced around 4,048 M.T. of
Vanya Silks (Tasar, Eri & Muga) in a year, which has very
good market. While India produces around 21,005, MTs of
raw silk annually (2010-11), total annual consumption of silk
in the country, per annum is around 29,000 MTs.The
additional requirement of about 8,000 MT of silk
(particularly, Bivoltine Mulberry Silk of international quality)
is imported mainly from China. Therefore, there is scope for
production of additional quantity of silk in the country to
Activity-wise employment generation in Mulberry sericul-
ture (per ha.)
Employment generation

Activity Man-days Man-years By the year 2025 domestic demand is expected to increase
to 45,000 MT/yr. Therefore, silk production has tremendous
A. Mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing growth potential in India, which could provide additional
a. Mulberry cultivation 585 employment opportunities for up to 4 million rural families.
At present, approximately 8 million families (of these 80%
b. Leaf / shoot harvesting 320
are rural poor) are involved in silk production as part of their
c. Silkworm rearing 350 livelihood, engaging in sericulture as an agro-based cottage
Sub-total 1255 5.02 industry.

B. Reeling of silk cocoons The export earnings from the silk are growing steadily
@ 300 mandays per 1000 kgs of because of increasing demand for Indian Silk goods
reeling cocoons (@ 8.0 renditta; particularly, from the USA and European countries. Exports
760 kgs cocon / ha.; 95 kgs raw earnings showed an increase of 45.5% from 2002-03 to
silk / ha.) 2250 9.12 2006-07. India exported silk worth Rs.3,338.35 crores
during 2006-07. During the period April to December of the
Total (A + B) 3535 14.14 year 2010-11, export earnings provisionally have slightly
C. Twisting declined to 1971.19 crores, when compared to `.2,131.23 in
the same period of 2009-10. The India Silk Goods have
@ 220 g of silk per mandays 432 1.727
high export potential because of its distinctiveness and low
D. Weaving
Handloom @ 0.13 kg per man-
day 438 1.752
Powerloom @ 0.3125 kg per
manday 122 0.486
Sub-total (Weaving) 560 2.238
E. Printing and Dyeing
@ 40 mandays for 40 kg of raw
silk 95 0.38
F. Finishing
@ 751 mandays for 40 kf of raw
silk 1784 7.135
G. Silk waste processing
@ 18.775 mandays per kg of raw
silk 26 0.104
Total (C to G) 2896 11.58
Grand Total 6431 26

meet the domestic demand.

18 May 2011 livelihoods

 labour, which consists of nearly 80
percent women.
Sericulture integrates very well with
the general lifestyle of people in the
rural areas. Sericulture activity at
every stage does not produce
anything that does not have a use
or there is no waste/by-product that
has no commercial value. Mulberry
twigs that are left over after feeding
the mulberry leaves to the
silkworms are used as fuel. Since
mulberry is a deep rooted plant, it
allows for inter-cropping with
shallow rooted, short term pulses,
vegetables and flower plants, as
long as there is no spraying of
insecticides.
To meet the ever growing demands
of silk industry both nationally and
internationally, it is pertinent to
glance at some of the challenges
before India and address them.
Indian silk yarn is of poor quality,
especially in comparison to that of
China. This not only affects our
competitiveness in the world
market, it also results in a
production cost. The export potentialities of Vanya Silks are preference for imported yarn in the domestic sector.
yet to be exploited on commercial scale. Though Indian breeds have the potential to produce the
Sericulture is a labour-intensive industry in all its phases of same quality of bivoltine silk as China, there has been lack
the production chain, viz, cultivation of silkworm food of sufficient thrust on the adoption of improved
plants, silkworm rearing, silk reeling, and other post-cocoon technologies, strict disease control measures, lack of
processes such as twisting, dyeing, weaving, printing and quality leaf due to insufficient inputs to mulberry garden,
finishing. It is estimated that sericulture can generate use of young age silkworms, appropriate mountages, lack
employment @11 man days per kg of raw silk production of grading system for cocoons, and quality-based pricing
system.
(in on-farm and off-farm activities) throughout the year. It
provides employment to approximately 68 lakhs persons, Bivoltine yarn is sturdier and is used by the powerloom
most of whom are small and marginal farmers.
Cultivation of sericulture is being practiced regularly in
contiguous districts in the traditional States of
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal
and J&K; in all the States of the North Eastern Region;
in the tribal areas of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh,
Uttaranchal, Orissa. The cocoons
(Source: Central Silk Board, Mysore.)
and silk processing industry has traditionally existed in
clusters. India has the distinction of cultivating all the
four commercially known varieties of silk, namely,
Mulberry, Tasar, Eri and Muga.
In all activities except silk dyeing, the labour force
comprises over 65 percent women. In the silkworm
rearing activity, most often women work in their own
houses. In handloom weaving women are engaged in
pre-weaving as well as other preparatory processes
within their own households. In silk reeling operation,
family-run Charaka units use the services of all
members in the family while others engage wage
workers. Cottage basin units and silk twisting units hire

livelihoods May 2011 19

industry. Yet only 5% of the silk produced in
India is bivoltine because its production
requires much more attention and
resources. It also yields just two crops in a
year, as against the yield of four to six crops
by multi-voltine. Since the difference in the
selling price of bivoltine and multivoltine silk
is not much, farmers do not have any
incentive to switch to bivoltine silk yarn
production. Insufficient adoption and
proliferation of technology packages
developed through R&D efforts; no effort to
increase the area under mulberry;
fragmented and ad hoc approach; non-
involvement of private partners in a big way
in seed production; farming and reeling; non-
penetration of the schemes; improper
forward and backward linkages; and
dumping of cheap Chinese raw silk and
fabric are the other factors. The challenge in
the Eleventh Plan period is to encourage
farmers to move from production of
multivoltine silk to bivoltine silk through
proper incentives. Yet, care should be taken
to ensure that adequate amount of
multivoltine is available for the handloom sector to continue retardation of the child’s normal growth and development.
production.
Way forward
There has been a decline in the cultivated area and the raw
The present global scenario clearly indicates the enormous
silk production during 2002–04 due to drought and dumping
opportunities for the Indian Silk Industry. The need of the
of Chinese silk at cheap prices. The sericulturists want
hour is to produce more bivoltine silk with reduced cost of
imports of raw silk to be restricted and the anti-dumping
production to meet the growing demands of quality
duty on yarn to remain in place. Exporters and weavers, on
silk. Realising this, the Governent of India is taking all out
the other hand, want the anti- dumping duty to be
efforts to boost bivoltine production in the country with the
withdrawn so that they get an assured supply of yarn and
technical support from Japan International Co-operation
are able to export more silk products at competitive rates.
Agency. The government is also encouraging corporate
The challenge is to balance the aspirations of farmers and
partnerships in sericulture development.
weavers.
The Central Silk Board has been implementing a Centrally
Non-mulberry silk production in the country continues to be
Sponsored Scheme viz. "Catalytic Development
unsteady and fluctuates from year to year. With its
Programme" in collaboration with the respective State
uniqueness, non-mulberry silk production in India has a
Sericulture Departments from IX Plan to motivate States to
great potential for value-added exports.
increase productivity and quality besides providing market
Reeling sector is an input-dependent activity and its support. The scheme is continuing in the XI plan. The
operations are influenced heavily by three factors— cocoon packages under CDP cover three major areas – seed
quality, cocoon price, and cocoon supply. However, due to sector, cocoon sector and post-cocoon sector.
the absence of quality-based price fixation, there has been
Important policy initiatives taken recently for the
very little quality control.
development of silk industry are - Sericulture is included as
Children are employed in almost all processes of the agriculture allied activity under RKVY. This enable the
sericulture industry making it almost a child–based sericulturists to avail the benefits of the scheme for the
economy. They work in mulberry cultivation; cocoon entire sericulture activities up to reeling The Govt. of India
rearing, reeling, winding, doubling, twisting, and re-reeling, has taken necessary steps to import 2500 MTs of raw silk
all of which adversely affect the health of the child. They through NHDC (duty free) for distribution among small
are required to work in filature units that are cramped, weavers.
damp, dark, poorly ventilated, and have loud, deafening
The CSB (Amendment) Act, Rules and Regulations have
music playing in the background. The handling of dead
been notified by the Govt. of India to bring quality standards
worms with bare hands, and the unbearable stench is also
in silkworm seed production.Forest Conservation Act has
a cause for spreading infection and illness. Standing for 12-
been amended to treat non mulberry sericulture as forest
16 hours a day with hardly any break, concentrating on
based activity enabling the farmers to undertake vanya
reeling the fine threads, leads to other health disorders.
silkworm rearing in the natural host plantation in the forests.
Vapours from the boiling cocoons and the diesel fumes
With all the initiatives happening in sericulture both in public
from the machines also contribute to the poor condition in
and private space, the sector holds a definite promise.

the units. These conditions have been found responsible for

20 May 2011 livelihoods

 Viswakavi Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore
“The highest education is that which does not merely give Viswa – Bharti. Tagore’s ideas on education were derived
us information but makes our life in harmony with all mainly from his own experience. Tagore's educational
existence.” ideals have been shared by other educationists and many
Rabindranath Tagore of his innovations have now become part of general
educational practices, but his special contribution lay in the
Nation is celebrating 150 years of Rabindra’s birth.
emphasis on harmony balance and total development of
Rabindranath Tagore; the legendary Bengali poet,
personality. Tagore wrote. “A boy in this country has very
philosopher, educationist, essayist, musician, novelist and
little time at his disposal. He must learn a foreign language,
playwright; needs no introduction. He was the first non-
pass several examinations and qualify himself for a job in
European who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature
the shortest possible time. So what can he do but cram up
in 1913. Rabindranath Tagore's inventive production
a few text books with breathless speed? His parents and
proves a lot about this revitalization man. The diversity,
his teachers do not let him waste precious time by reading
excellence and magnitude are incredible. Even though
a book of entertainment, and they snatch it away from him
Tagore is an excellent envoy of his nation - India - the man
the moment they see him with one."
who wrote its national anthem - his existence and workings
go far away from his country. Present system of education does not allow us to cultivate
the power of thought and the power of imagination.
Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) was the youngest son
According to Tagore, "to read without thinking is like
of Debendranath Tagore, a leader of the Brahmo Samaj,
accumulating building materials without building anything.
which was a new religious sect in nineteenth-century
We instantly climb to the top of our pile and beat it down
Bengal and which attempted a revival of the ultimate
incessantly for two years. Until it becomes level and
monistic basis of Hinduism as laid down in
somewhat becomes level and somewhat resembles the flat
the Upanishads. He was educated at home; and although
roof of a house.”
at seventeen he was sent to England for formal schooling,
he did not finish his studies there. In his mature years, in In general, Tagore envisioned an education that was
addition to his many-sided literary activities, he managed deeply rooted in one’s immediate surroundings but
the family estates, a project which brought him into close connected to the cultures of the wider world, predicated
touch with common humanity and increased his interest in upon pleasurable learning and individualized to the
social reforms. He also started an experimental school at personality of the child. He felt that a curriculum
Shantiniketan where he tried his Upanishadic ideals of should revolve organically around nature with classes held
education. From time to time he participated in the Indian in the open air under the trees to provide for a
nationalist movement, though in his own non-sentimental spontaneous appreciation of the fluidity of the plant and
and visionary way; and Gandhi, the political father of animal kingdoms, and seasonal changes. At his
modern India, was his devoted friend. Tagore was knighted Santhiniketan, Children sat on hand-woven mats beneath
by the ruling British Government in 1915, but within a few the trees, which they were allowed to climb and run
years he resigned the honour as a protest against British beneath between classes. Nature walks and excursions
policies in India. were a part of the curriculum and students were
encouraged to follow the life cycles of insects, birds and
Tagore had early success as a writer in his native Bengal.
plants. Class schedules were made flexible to allow for
With his translations of some of his poems he became
shifts in the weather or special attention to natural
rapidly known in the West. In fact his fame attained a
phenomena, and seasonal festivals were created for the
luminous height, taking him across continents on lecture
children by Tagore. In an essay entitled “A Poet’s School,”
tours and tours of friendship. For the world he became the
he emphasizes the importance of an empathetic sense of
voice of India's spiritual heritage; and for India, especially
interconnectedness with the surrounding world:
for Bengal, he became a great living institution.
We have come to this world to accept it, not merely to
Although Tagore wrote successfully in all literary genres,
know it. We may become powerful by knowledge, but we
he was first of all a poet. Among his fifty and odd volumes
attain fullness by sympathy. The highest education is that
of poetry are Manasi (1890) [The Ideal One], Sonar
which does not merely give us information but makes our
Tari (1894) [The Golden Boat], Gitanjali (1910) [Song
life in harmony with all existence. But we find that this
Offerings], Gitimalya (1914) [Wreath of Songs],
education of sympathy is not only systematically ignored in
andBalaka (1916) [The Flight of Cranes].
schools, but it is severely repressed. From our very
Rabindranath Tagore got Nobel Prize for literature in 1913 childhood habits are formed and knowledge is imparted in
for 'Gitanjali'. such a manner that our life is weaned away from nature
Tagore's views of education are not available in any single and our mind and the world are set in opposition from the
volume. They are traceable in his various expressions. It beginning of our days. Thus the greatest of educations for
may be gleaned from his addresses and may be read in which we came prepared is neglected, and we are made to
his essays. It may also be obtained from his conversational lose our world to find a bagful of information instead. We
rob the child of his earth to teach him geography, of

livelihoods May 2011 21

language to teach him grammar. His hunger is for the Epic, contact" between Guru and Sishya. Tagore believed that
but he is supplied with chronicles of facts and dates...Child- the educational process should incorporate the act of
nature protests against such calamity with all its power of playing, and the joy that playing brings. He also
suffering, subdued at last into silence by punishment. pronounced that education should be linked to working, and
learning a craft.
In Tagore's philosophy of education, the aesthetic
development of the senses was as important as the As per Tagore, the school should be integral to Society and
intellectual--if not more so--and music, literature, art, dance intellectual education should be linked with the arts and
and drama were given great prominence in the daily life of crafts which deal with human emotions. Education should
the school. In terms of curriculum, he advocated a different lead towards an understanding of the brotherhood of man.
emphasis in teaching. Rather than studying national
Tagore saw villages as the real source of our national
cultures for the wars won and cultural dominance imposed,
vitality, just as Mahatma Gandhi did. He also felt the need
he advocated a teaching system that analyzed history and
for Gram Swaraj. Essentially, Gandhiji and Tagore agreed
culture for the progress that had been made in breaking
on the following priorities for the nation: Rejection of the
down social and religious barriers. Such an approach
caste hierarchy; Constructive work in villages; Education
emphasized the innovations that had been made in
through constructive social work, and through working at a
integrating individuals of diverse backgrounds into a larger
trade or craft; Revival of village crafts; and Self-government
framework, and in devising the economic policies which
at the village level.
emphasized social justice and narrowed the gap between
Tagore's educational efforts were ground-breaking in many
rich and poor. Art would be studied for its role in furthering
the aesthetic imagination and expressing universal themes. areas. He was one of the first in India to argue for a
humane educational system that was in touch with the
In Tagore’s opinion, all educational processes should be
environment and aimed at overall development of the
rooted in our own cultural traditions. As he put it:
personality.
"Emancipation from the bondage of the soil is not freedom
for the tree". He emphasized that the medium of instruction The multi-cultural educational efforts carried out by Tagore,
must be through one's own mother tongue. Tagore was the Gurudev, became an inspiration to educators around
highly appreciative of the Guru-Sishya Ashram type of the world, and schools following his philosophy of human
education. In this he echoes Sri Aurobindo's view that the unity were created in many countries.

most important method of education is "soul-to-soul

A painting by Rabindranath Tagore

22 May 2011 livelihoods

 Development in Action

Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiya Foundation

The Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiya MVF Mission: 1.To educate people about this complex
issue. 2. To move people emotionally 3.To motivate people
Foundation (MVF), a trust which was named to action
after her grandfather is a registered trust. It
Programmes: 1.Child Rights 2. Health 3. Natural Resource
was established in 1981 in memory of Management
educationist and historian Prof. Mamidipudi
MVF has a strong grassroots presence in many parts of the
Venkatarangaiya. It was started as a country. However, they believe that the problem of child
research institution on issues relating to labour has to be fought at the macro level for a systemic
social transformation. change. It is in this context that MVF’s advocacy is seen as
an integral part of their work. MVF has initiated and
Today, the Foundation is building the capacities of the supported several campaigns as stated below:
community in rural and urban areas for elimination of child
labour by universalizing school education. It also works MVF’s Intervention on Child Rights: 1.Total Abolition of
towards empowering women. Child Labour : The Supreme Court on 12.12.2005 issued
notice to the Centre on a PIL filed through Advocate Ashok
Currently MVF is implementing the program directly in Agarwal seeking enforcement of the right to education of
Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda, Kurnool & Adilabad districts of every child in the age group of 6 to 14 by abolishing child
Andhra Pradesh covering over 2500 villages and in the city labour in all its forms. A three-judge Bench comprising of
of Hyderabad. MVF also provides technical support to Justice Ruma Pal, Justice A.R.Laxmanan and Justice
various Government & Non-Governmental Organizations. Dalveer Bhandari issued the notice on petition filed by Prof.
The MVF resource persons have worked in Assam, Bihar, Shantha Sinha of Hyderabad University; HAQ: Centre for
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh & Tamil Nadu. MVF has Child Rights and Social Jurist. Mr. Ashok Agarwal argued
provided technical support to NGOs and the Governments that Article 21-A of the Constitution mandates compulsory
of Nepal, Central America & Africa. Its presence is among education for every child in the age group 6-14 years. On
some of the most backward areas in terms of HDI and in all inquiry from the Hon’ble Judges whether any of the States
these areas MVF monitors around 5,00,000 children on a has legislated the law as contemplated under Article 21-A
daily basis. The Board of Trustees with its Chairperson is of the Constitution, Mr. Agarwal informed that no State has
the apex body that meets once in a year to approve so far done any thing in this regard despite the fact that
programmes and frame broad policy outlines. It is assisted Article 21-A was inserted in December 2002. The main
by the Secretary-Trustee who is in charge of the overall objective of right to education is that every individual should
management of all the projects and the Treasurer who is be literate and they expect 100% literacy rate may be by
responsible for the financial management. MVF also has a 2025.
National Programme Advisory Committee (NPAC) and a
Finance Advisory Committee (FAC) that meet at least once Financial and Political Commitments for Children in 0-6
in every six months, sometimes more frequently where years age group: A Parallel Workshop on ICDS on
reports of all the activities and financial needs to be Convention on Children’s Right to Food was organised by
presented. HAQ: Centre for Child Rights and MVF on 7th April 2005.
The workshop on Financial and Political Rights was
The MVF Aim and strategy: The MVF program aims at planned to discuss the commitments and subsequent
motivating parents and children to utilize the formal school manifestations in the budget made so far towards improving
as a medium for the child's advancement. Based on the nutritional status of children below six years of age through
belief that every child out of school is a working child, the ICDS.
program does not make any distinction between one form
of child labour and another. Its single point agenda is to Right to Education: MVF has supported the cause of
ensure no child goes to work and all go to school. making education a fundamental right for every child. The
collective efforts led to the 86th amendment to the
The strategy adopted is essentially based on age group Constitution of India in 2002. The bill was passed making
and gender. Older children in the age group 9-14 years are education a fundamental right under article 21(A) of the
run through a bridge course which utilizes what they Constitution which stated free and compulsory education
already know to enable them to catch up with regular for all children in the age group of 6-14yrs. MVF in its
school children of their own age. For younger children, various campaign meetings and national consultations has
direct admission to schools is undertaken. In all cases, passed the resolutions.
there is a detailed follow-up programme which ensures
minimal drop-out. For the girl children the approach though Stop Child Labour Campaign: ‘Stop Child Labour –
broadly similar, is more intensive. School is the best place to work’ is a campaign of NGO’s

livelihoods May 2011 23

and unions from 6 European countries who are co- Services among others. Currently our donors are the
operating closely with a number of organizations from European Union, CONCERN, DWHH, FNV, SKN and
developing countries, including India. ‘Stop Child Labour’ Logica through HIVOS, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, ActionAid
has the firm conviction that eradication of child labour and India, UNICEF, Catholic Relief Services, AXIS Bank
the realization of the right to education are closely Foundation, Indian Overseas Bank, ICICI Foundation,
interrelated and that every child has the right to free, full- Broadridge Financials and many individual donors whose
time education up to at least 15 years of age. MVF as an support we gratefully acknowledge. MVF's remarkable
NGO partner provides technical support in implementing achievements would not be possible without the unflinching
the campaign in various Central American and African support of local and state government authorities, school
countries. MVF also provides training in the various aspects teachers, elected representatives, volunteers, education
of the campaign to abolish child labour and universalize activists, the children themselves and their parents .
education.
MVF’s Intervention on Health. : The focus of the
Child Rights Protection Forum (CRPF) : The Child Rights programme is to improve the health of the community
Protection Forum is a unique forum that is a spin-off effect especially pregnant women, adolescent girls and children
arising from M.V.Foundation’s mass mobilisation. In the up to the age of 3 by making health a public issue which
process of mobilizing communities to establish a social people demand as their right. Specifically, the action seeks
norm that no child should work and every child must attend to decrease maternal and infant mortality, stop child
full time formal school, M.V.Foundation enlisted the support marriages and improve the health and nutrition status of
of every section of society. When there was a specific case children under-3. It also seeks to prepare local institutions
of protecting a girl child from marriage or of withdrawing a such as the Gram Panchayats, Child Rights Protection
child from the clutches of bondage, supporters of child Forums, girl youth committees and health committees to
rights in villages formed themselves into Child Rights’ take up health issues and strengthen the government
Protection Forum. In the beginning these forums were ad health system in order that all women get proper ante-natal
hoc and got organized to sort out specific cases of violation care and have institutional and safe deliveries, universal
of children’s rights. As they became active they felt the immunization and prevention of malnourishment for
necessity to get institutionalized into formal forums to children in the 0-3 age group is ensured, child marriages
protect children’s rights. In March 2004, members of the are prevented and the health of adolescent girls is
village level Child Rights Protection Forums from different improved, adolescent girls in the age group of 12 to 18
parts of the State of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa years are empowered. In addition the health delivery
and Assam got together and formed into Child Rights’ system of the Government is strengthened through
Protection Forum at the national level. community participation and ownership in order to improve
Membership – Who makes up the CRPF?: Members of the community’s access to the health system. Processes
the CRPF include gram panchayat members, school for systematic review of health programmes at the Mandal
committee members, youth, schoolteachers, erstwhile and District level are established in order to improve the
employers, women group members and political leaders. efficiency of the health department .
Cutting across caste and class barriers the members of the
CRPF are the conscience keepers in the village playing the MVF’s Intervention on Natural Resource Management:
role of spokespersons for child rights in the community. M.V.Foundation’s (MVF) Natural Resource Management
Currently the membership base of the CRPF is more than (NRM) work started in the year 1992 in Hayathnagar &
80,000. Life members from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Ghatkesar Mandals, Ranga Reddy District of Andhra
Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Pradesh. It was during M.V. Foundation’s work for child
Nadu are currently involved in the campaign. rights that the idea of work in Natural Resource
Management arose. It was noticed that the nutrition levels
Activities: This unique institution of CRPF has now of children in the Non-Formal Education (NFE) centres was
flourished and owns up the responsibility of child rights. The very low. Hence eco clubs were set up to spread the
members monitor all child related institutions at the village message of environment and health. There were large
level, resolve problems relating to children’s needs, ensure tracts of uncultivated lands leading to land alienation/
no child rights violations occur and share such experiences degradation. Women steeped in debt due to lack of work.
at various forums. MVF has conducted various training There were no support systems and wage labour was
programs for the CRPF members. This helps in building the irregular. There was loss of assets due to the financial
capacities of the members to take the movement of child crunch, poor quality of resources, unavailability of fodder &
rights forward . lack of technical knowledge on fodder cultivation and
grasses. There was no knowledge of water harvesting,
Over the years, MVF has initiated several programs and conservation and intercropping combined with a general
received financial as well as institutional help from various lack of interest in food crops and organic farming. Families
government and non-government agencies. MVF received migrated for work and were fragmented leading to many
support from the Ministries of Labor and HRD of the socio-economic problems.
Governments of India and Andhra Pradesh (World Bank
Project - Velugu), CRY, ILO-IPEC, HIVOS, NCLP, NCRI, There was also a general lack of financial resources for
UNICEF, UNDP/NORAD, The JRD Tata Trust, Sir Dorabji health expenses. It is in this scenario that MVF stepped in
Tata Trust, ActionAid India, AusAid and Catholic Relief to address these problems. Currently M.V. Foundation’s
Natural Resource Management Programme (NRM) is

24 May 2011 livelihoods

operational in 105 villages spread over 7 mandals viz. In almost every village, the youth play an important role in:
Yacharam, Manchal, Ibrahimpatnam, Hayathnagar,
a. Mobilizing supporting and motivating communities to join
Keesara, Ghatkesar and Shamirpet. The long term goal of
the campaign against child labour . b. Eestablishing
M.V. Foundation’s NRM Programme is towards protection
contacts with the Gram Panchayat and involving the
and sustainable management of natural resources through
Sarpanch in the program. C. Bringing pressure on schools
empowerment of women to improve quality of lives &
for enhanced enrollment. d. taking on employers and even
secure livelihoods, food, fodder, energy and health care.
facing their wrath .e. organizing meetings in expression of
What distinguishes MVF’s programme from other
solidarity .
programmes is the solidarity of the women’s groups which
is based on transparency, honesty & self-reliance. From a small beginning in 1991 with a Programme for
liberating 30 children in five villages of Ranga Reddy district
Mission statement: Empower Women and their
was launched, Shantha Sinha's endeavour has now grown
communities to improve the quality of their lives by
into a massive social mobilisation movement, which has
providing access to resources for sustainable management
freed 2.4 lakh children in 4,500 villages from child labour
of natural resources, sustainable livelihood, mitigate climate
and involved in the process - the community, elected
change and global warming.
representatives and the State Education Department in
Objectives:1. Empower women and build up their eight districts. In accomplishing the task, dedicated
capacities through natural resource management to provide contribution of 29,175 honorary volunteers, 22,236 child
livelihoods. 2. Build capacities of local institutions to rights protection committee members, 3,618 panchayat
support women’s action 3. To create sustainable livelihood members and 2,440 teachers was collated.
environment protection. 4. Increase awareness on
The MVF's strategy and goals are clearly spelt out in its
renewable energy sources and set up programmes on the
"Charter of Non-Negotiables". According to the charter, all
ground for enhancing the use of renewable energy 5.Create
children must attend formal full-time day schools, any child
Environmental Awareness among children and youth
out of school is a child labourer, all work is hazardous to the
Develop, conserve and use forest land and also other lands
overall growth and development of a child, and there should
for productive uses, conservation & mitigation strategy for
be a total ban on child labour, and any justification for
global warming and climate change. 6. Provide and
improve capabilities of women for better wellness & health perpetuating child labour must be condemned .
care preventives. MVF’s work on Child Labour was designed and developed
Gram Panchayat : According to the 73rd amendment to by Shantha Sinha. She is key contributor behind the
the Constitution of India, there is a statutory requirement success of MVF. Shantha Sinha (53) who is the winner of
that elections to the local bodies must be held. Education the 2003 Raman
is one such item. There is unwillingness on the part of the Magsaysay
government at the State level towards greater Award for
decentralization. Therefore, it is necessary to build c o m m u n i t y
capacities of groups to pressurize for far greater devolution leadership, has
of powers. The Gram Panchayats are important institutions rescued 2.41 lakh
to take up the twin tasks of abolition of child labour and children from
strengthening of schools. The Gram Panchayat must child labour and
review, monitor and support all child related institutions. introduced them
This will help them to participate and take up the to school
responsibility in planning and implementing the programme education. She is
of abolition of child labour through universalisation of an academic and
elementary education at the village level. By getting a social worker.
involved in the functioning of schools and supporting the
school committees, they can prevent school dropouts. Shanta’s work
has been with the
The Gram Panchayat has an added advantage of being premise that child
able to mobilise local resources for the school and also has the right to
generate resources by bringing pressure on the higher-level decent
education bureaucracy. The efficiency of the Gram
Panchayats can be increased if they are provided with childhood and
more information on the financial allocation made towards bonded child
the child related institutions in their area. They are to be labor is illegal.
trained to utilize all the projects addressing the child rights Shantha Sinha holds a Ph.D degree from Jawaharlal Nehru
as implemented by the various departments such as Social University and was a Professor in the Department of
Welfare, Women & Child Welfare, for helping education and Political Science, University of Hyderabad. Currently, she is
so on. They also are to be given training to network with the chairperson of National Commission for Child Rights,
other Gram Panchayats and form a Federation at Mandal She has received several honours, including the Padma
level to draw up a comprehensive mandal level plan for Shri the Albert Shankar International Educational Award,
abolition of child labour and strengthening of the school and has been a U.S. International Fellow and a Louis
system. Marches Fellow of Round Table Foundation.

livelihoods May 2011 25

 Opinion

Experts Opinion on Draft Food Security Act

Food security act should have provision for the public distribution system (PDS), and redress of
distribution of millets: MS Swaminathan grievances. It has the potential to put all food-related
schemes on a new footing, in a rights framework. However,
CHENNAI: Eminent scientist M S Swaminathan has said this potential is in danger of being wasted by a flawed
the new National Food Security Act should include a approach to the PDS.
provision for distribution of millets through the public
distribution system. This measure will be implemented In this approach, the PDS rests on a three-way division of
keeping in mind the possible reductions in yield of rice and the population, among “priority,” “general” and “excluded”
wheat due to climate change. Speaking at a climate change households. (This article focusses on rural areas.) Priority
symposium during the 98th Indian Science Congress 2011 households, covering at least 46 per cent of the rural
held at SRM University on Wednesday, Swaminathan population at the all-India level, are to get 35 kg of grain a
elaborated on the measures that may be implemented to month at “Antyodaya prices” (Rs. 3 a kg for rice, Rs. 2 for
solve food security problems caused by climate change. wheat and Re. 1 for millets). General households will get 20
"For each one degree Centigrade rise in the mean kg at no more than half of the Minimum Support Price. And
temperature in India, the wheat yield is likely to reduce by 6 excluded households, which account for 10 per cent of the
million tones every year," he said. "By current prices, that rural population, will get nothing.. First, it hinges on a
would be a loss of $1.5 billion per annum." He also added lasting division of the population into three groups, without
that the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) any clarity as to how the groups are to be identified. In the
projects that that in a similar situation, the wheat yields of absence of any obvious alternative, the NAC is effectively
falling back on the Below Poverty Line census to identify
priority groups. This is a major setback — the NAC's entire
work began with a virtually unanimous rejection of BPL-
based targeting for the PDS. Exclusion errors in earlier BPL
censuses were very large, and the next BPL census is
unlikely to fare much better, judging from the pilot survey.
Second, since identification criteria are left to the Central
government, with some discretion for State governments,
nobody has guaranteed PDS entitlements under the Act,
except for a few ultra-marginalised groups which have a
right of “automatic inclusion” in the priority list. Other
households have no legal entitlement to be included in the
priority list or, for that matter, in the general list. Therefore,
they have no guaranteed PDS entitlements at all. This
undermines the basic purpose of the Act. Third, the
transition from the current Above Poverty Line-Below
Poverty Line framework to the NAC framework is likely to
be disruptive. There are at least three major sources of
disruption: the creation of an “excluded” category; the
transition to a new BPL list; and the switch from household
to per capita entitlements. Each of these changes entails a
the entire South Asia is likely to fall by 44 per cent. loss of entitlements for significant numbers of households.
Mending the Food Security Act : JEAN DRÈZE: Meanwhile, the entitlements of other households will be
enhanced. Can we expect this transition to happen without
The National Advisory Council has proposed a framework major tensions, or even to be completed at all?
for the National Food Security Act. But its potential could be
wasted by a flawed approach to the PDS. Two years have Fourth, the NAC framework fails to “de-link” PDS
passed since the Central government announced that a entitlements from official poverty estimates, and to prevent
draft National Food Security Act (NFSA) would be posted a rapid shrinkage of PDS coverage over time. It is well
on the Food Ministry's website “very soon.” After prolonged understood by now that official poverty lines in India are
deliberations, a detailed framework for this Act has recently abysmally low, and that under nutrition is not confined to
been proposed by the National Advisory Council (NAC), households below the “poverty line.” In the NAC framework,
and a draft is on the anvil. This is a “compromise draft” of 46 per cent coverage of priority groups in rural areas
sorts, heavily influenced by the government's own concerns corresponds to the proportion of the population below the
and priorities. The NAC framework includes important “Tendulkar poverty line,” plus a margin of 10 per cent for
provisions relating, for instance, to child nutrition, reform of targeting errors. This is significantly higher than the current

26 May 2011 livelihoods

BPL coverage of about 33 per cent. But except for ruling “exclusion criteria.” Everyone will be clear about their legal
out any reduction of PDS entitlements before the end of the entitlements. The burden of proof, so to speak, will fall on
12th Five Year Plan (which is only a few years from now), the government to exclude a household, and poor
nothing in the draft NFSA prevents the government from households will be well protected from exclusion errors.
reducing PDS coverage in tandem with official poverty State governments will be free to move even closer to
estimates over the years. Fifth, the idea of a universal PDS universalisation, if they wish, by waiving some exclusion
in the poorest 200 districts was dropped from the NAC criteria and contributing additional resources to the PDS (as
framework (after being agreed and placed on record). This many States are already doing). Automatic inclusion of SC/
was an important idea, because any targeting process here STs (unless they come within the exclusion criteria) will be
is likely to lead to massive delays, fraud, and exclusion built in. PDS entitlements will be de-linked from the APL-
errors. In many of these districts, the local administration BPL rigmarole, and from poverty estimates. And while
has little credibility. Large numbers of poor households are some social division will remain, it will be “at the top,”
outside the BPL list, and are likely to remain excluded from without undermining solidarity among disadvantaged
the proposed “priority” list. Further, targeting is pointless in groups.
areas where an overwhelming majority of the population is
Two further modifications of the NAC framework will round
vulnerable to food insecurity. Launching a universal PDS in
up this proposal quite nicely. First, the idea of a universal
these districts would have addressed a large part of the
PDS in the poorest 200 districts could easily be reinstated,
food insecurity problem in rural India in one go, at a small
by waiving exclusion criteria in these districts for an initial
extra cost. Sixth, the NAC abandoned another important
period of, say, 20 years. Second, the Act could be gradually
idea as it went along: the automatic inclusion of all
extended to the whole country, over a period of, say, three
Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) households
years, starting with the poorest 200 districts. This will make
in the priority list — unless they come within the standard
it easier to meet the additional food grain requirements in a
exclusion criteria. This will be a major protection against
phased manner. This approach is not perfect, but it seems
exclusion errors, and a well-justified form of positive
much preferable to the confused, impractical and divisive
discrimination in favour of SC/ST families. But the idea was
framework that has emerged from the NAC (or rather, from
dropped, on the grounds that it is difficult to reconcile with
protracted discussions between the NAC and the
pre-specified “caps” on the coverage of priority groups at
government). It will be easy to adapt the current NFSA draft
the State level based on poverty estimates. Punjab, for
to this approach, while retaining the valuable work that has
instance, has a low poverty ratio but a high proportion of
been done by the NAC on other aspects of the draft. This
SC/STs in the population — there is no obvious way to
small modification could make a big difference. (The author
handle this. In short, the NAC framework not only
is a Visiting Professor at the University of Allahabad. The
perpetuates the flaws of BPL targeting but also
views expressed here are his own.)
institutionalises artificial social divisions under the law. It is
not difficult to imagine the Act being used as a foothold to The hungry can wait. India to create a National Food
extend these divisions to other domains. Security Commission. To be followed up at the State-
level. More cushy jobs in the name of poor and hungry:
The obvious alternative, a universal PDS, is a ‘no-no' for
Devinder Sharma
the Central government. Is there another way to repair, or
at least contain, the damage? I believe there is. Before It is being projected as the Big Mummy of All Welfare
coming to that, let me mention an interesting finding of Schemes. I am talking of the draft Food Security Bill that
recent BPL identification studies (by Reetika Khera, Sabina the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs is trying to bring
Alkire, and Himanshu, and others). These analyses, mainly out. The bill guarantees 35 kg of food grains to every
based on the 2004-05 data from the National Sample person belonging to the priority household and 15 kg to
Survey or the 2005-06 data from the National Family Health general households every month at a subsidized
Survey, suggest that about 25 to 30 per cent of households price. Dressed up as if is ambitious in size and detail, the
in rural India meet simple, transparent and verifiable fact remains it is as good as any dressed chicken that you
“exclusion criteria,” such as having a government job, get in a restaurant -- only the taste is finger licking, the
owning a motorised vehicle, or living in a multi- content is no different and the quality may be worse.
storied puccahouse. This suggests a simple but far- According to The Economic Times priority household, the
reaching modification of the NAC framework: expand the main beneficiaries of the bill, will be selected from the
excluded category, but extend “priority” entitlements (35 kg poorest 46 per cent in rural areas and 26 per cent in urban
of grain at Antyodaya prices) to all other households. With areas. Another 29 per cent and 22 per cent from rural to
an exclusion ratio of, say, 30 per cent, the foodgrain urban areas, respectively will be treated as general
requirements will be the same as in the current NAC category. Well, before you get lost in the complex mire of
framework. The financial cost will be a little higher (because figures, let me tell you what it entails. It says nothing new
all entitled households will pay Antyodaya prices), but the that was not existing in the earlier public distribution system
extra cost will be a small fraction of the total food subsidy. n that prevailed except that under the proposed Food
this “quasi-universal” framework, every rural household Security bill the actual number of beneficiaries have been
willbe entitled, by law, to 35 kg of grain a month at reduced and also the quantum of grain to be provided
Antyodaya prices, unless it comes within the well-defined has also been curtailed.

livelihoods May 2011 27

 Context

Crafts Marketing and Export Promotion Scheme

As part of the marketing strategy, the office of the Implementing Agencies: The National Handloom Expos
Development Commissioner for Handlooms has been will be organized by National Handloom Organizations like
organizing National Handloom Expos and Special Expos. NHDC, ACASH etc., and State Governments directly or
With the passage of time, these events have gained through a State level handloom Agency /Federation and
popularity and sales generated at these events have Weavers Service Centers.
increased significantly. It has, therefore, been decided to Assistance for the participants: It has been decided to
continue this activity in the XI Plan. substantially boost the financial assistance to give
OBJECTIVES: National Handloom Expos would have the marketing a thrust to participants in the shape of
following objectives: 1. To assist in marketing of handloom infrastructural support, stall rent, electricity charges,
products 2. To facilitate the consumer to purchase genuine publicity, backup services, administrative expenses etc.
handloom products from different parts of the country Wsc’s Theme Pavilion In Expos: 1. Theme Pavilion of
under one umbrella 3. To serve as a window for promoting 500-2500 Sq. Ft. as may be decided by the Development
awareness among the consumers about the latest designs Commissioner for Handlooms would be set up in the Expo.
and varieties of fabrics produced in the handloom sector, 2. For each expo a Theme Pavilion would be decided well
and 4. To disseminate knowledge about the latest designs in advance by the Office asking the prospective
developed contemporary trends and forecasts, among participants to develop their products covering the theme
weavers and other users. also. 3. An amount of Rs.25, 000/- would be paid by the
Guidelines to be followed for the NHE: (i) The NHE will Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms
feature at least 50 – 70 stalls, all of equal floor area. (ii) for the expenses related to display in the Pavilion. 4.
Handloom products of at least 10 States and UTs will be Infrastructure for the Theme Pavilion. 5. The implementing
represented.(iii)Normally no State / UT will be allotted more agency would be responsible for setting up the WSC
than 5 stalls each in a NHE. However, more than 5 stalls Theme Pavilion.
may be allotted only if there are vacant stalls for some The implementing agency will organize a workshop or a
reasons. (iv) If stalls are being allotted in the same venue seminar or a meeting of Buyers Sellers etc. during the
to other related agencies like. Handicrafts, khadi etc. (v) Expo to promote handloom products and their marketing.
The entrance gate, all publicity material should clearly This will be met out of the administrative expenses.
mention “National Handloom Expo: sponsored by Advance, Balance, Charges from Participating
Development Commissioner (Handlooms). (vi) Selection of Agencies by the Implementing Agencies: Up to 50 % of
agencies and allotment of stalls to the selected agencies the total estimated amount payable, will be released by the
will be done in a fair and transparent manner by the Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms
Implementing agency. In case the Implementing agency is on an ‘on-account basis’.
a State Government / State agency, the Implementing
Agency will constitute a committee comprising handloom Role of state government: (a) The State Governments
department official(s) and a nominee of office of are expected to continue to provide assistance to the
Development Commissioner for Handlooms for this implementing agencies and participating agencies.
purpose, which will decide the procedure for allotment and payment of special rebate on sale, adequate publicity
give due publicity. (vii) A customer assistance centre will support etc.(b) The host States are also expected to render
be set up in each NHE and manned by officials of the assistance for proper organization .
implementing agency to see that excessive pricing and Role of Participants: Participants are expected to develop
unfair practices are restricted. (viii) The implementing market demand oriented products. The participants are
agency will ensure that a record is maintained of agency free to offer incentive such as discounts to consumers.
wise, daily sales figures. The daily sales figures will be Final Report: After the conclusion of the expo, a final
faxed to the State Secretary/Commissioner for Handlooms report indicating the total area, the number of participants,
by the following morning. (ix) As far as possible, the NHE level of sales, area allotted, feedback received suggestions
should also be used as a source for collecting market for future expos, inflow-outflow statement of funds, etc.
intelligence in a systematic manner by conducting Monitoring: Basic responsibility to organize a ‘National
customer survey and analysis of sales figures. (x) No Handloom Expo’ as per the scheme would be of the
subletting of stalls should be allowed under any implementing agency. Directors of Handlooms of the State
circumstances and there should be strict and regular where it is being held, nominate officers to see proper
surprise checking to ensure this. (xi) The allotment of stalls conduct of export.
should be done as far as possible by open lottery. (xii)
Copy of receipt towards ground rent and electricity charges In order to provide opportunity to handloom weavers to
should be submitted. Participation: (i) All levels of market their products, and to expose consumers to
Handloom Cooperative Societies, Corporations and handloom products from different parts of the country, a
Primary Cooperative Societies. (ii) Non-Government number of handloom exhibitions are held at all levels. In
Organizations engaged in Handlooms and fulfilling the addition, this component will provide for marketing and
norms laid by CAPART. (iii) Self Help Groups engaged in promotion of item-specific, area-specific and fiber-specific
Handloom production. These are eligible. handloom products.

28 May 2011 livelihoods

 Case Studies

Out of Poverty Proper Planning Leads to Prosperous Life

Raju belongs to Errabelli village at Duvvur Mandal in approached government and put request to set up milk
Kadapa district. His is a small farmer. He is the owner of 2 centre in his village. He thinks that it increases his income
acers of land. That land also dry land which is able to give and save time and also it is benefit to his villagers. The
only one crop in a year. He has no money to set up bore government gave permission for him to set up his own milk
well in his land. He has a family of wife and two children. centre and after two years he purchases one more acre of
He has two cows and four sheep. He earns 3000/- by fertile land. He gave that land to lease and from that he
selling milk and he also go for labor work. He earn totally earn up to 40,000/- per year. From those cows dung he
5000/- per month. His earnings are not enough for earn up to 7,000 per year. Apart from dairy activity he
household expenditure and education of his children, so he wants to do other activity. He observed that in the sheep
wants to do some business. In his village he observed that rearing has potential. He purchases sheep. He already has
there is lot of scope for dairy. He discussed with his friends sheep. He knows the sheep rearing and market
and relatives. He wants to buy more four cows for his knowledge. He started sheep business. In this business
livelihood. He already has two acres of land, so he wants also he is getting good income.
to grow grass in one acre of land. He took some opinions His income gradually increased. He built a new house in
of others. With those ideas he brought four cows. Now he his own village and also put his children in Mandal School.
has totally six cows. He is selling 36 liters of milk daily and He changed his old house into new house. He got good
earning up to 500/-. He cleverly increased his earnings and name among his friends and relatives. Now he is living his
also put his children in private school. After one year he life very happily.

Broken Lives
Hasty Decision Makes Life Miserable
Doraswamy belongs to kadappa district, Duvvor mandal, agriculture work and he also want to buy sheep. His friends
Silapuram village. His age is about 38 years. His father also suggested him to buy sheep and start sheep
was farmer. He wants to provide good education to his business. He has only one acre of fertile land. The land is
son. He joined his son in a good school. But Doraswamy used to grow several types of crops. He sells his
did not pay attention on education. He studied up to tenth remaining his one acre of land to purchase sheep. He
class and he was not interested for his further studies. He thought that growing sheep is very easy but he doesn’t
discontinued his education. He got married. Now in his know how to feed them and how to protect them from any
family he has his wife and two sons and his father. One disease or something else, and when to sell them and how
son is studying fifth class and other son is studying in to get profits on them. And also he doesn’t know about
third class in a mandal private school . diseases they get. He did not think about all this things and
started his business with his sheep. Because of poor
He has three acres of land in which he grow paddy and
maintenance he lost his sheep. Before he bought these
sugarcane .The income which he get from his crop is
sheep he already lost his property. He got loses in sheep
enough for his livelihood. Doraswamy want to build a new
business. He borrowed amount from money lenders with
house in place of his hut. So he sold his 2 acres of land
high interest to purchase more sheep. But he did not
and built a new house. He used to get good income from
overcome from the business lose. Now he is doing labor
his one acre and his labor work. In his village most of the
work. He shifted his children from mandal private school to
people are rearing sheep. They are getting good income
government school. Now he is telling to all his colleagues
on sheep rearing. He was not interested in doing that
and other people to first think and do any work.

livelihoods May 2011 29

 Interview with Grassroots Activist

I Like to Help Others...

At Jagannadhapuram in East Godavari Q: How much do you earn for the tailoring and orange
baskets making work?
district there lives a woman who handles
A: I earn Rs.150/- for tailoring and Rs.100/- for baskets
many types of works training the ESHS
making.
( Elders Self Help Groups, making leaf
Q: Where is your child studying?
plates and helping the children in their
A: My Children studying in Govt School in our village, my
studies and courageously managing her
daughter is in class 10, my elder son studying 8th class and
family very well, our talk with Mrs.Ganga younger one is in class 5.

Bhavani. ‘Livelihoods’ interviewed Ganga Q: How did your husband die?

Bhavani to know about her journey… A: He died because of his severe health problem.

Q: How much do you earn per month?

Q: What is your name? Age? A: I earn almost Rs. 8000/- per month.

A: I am Ganga Bhavani. I am 30 yrs old. Q: Do you have any debts?

Q: Where is your native village? A: I have a loan in SHG Rs. 70,000/- I took loan for house
construction.
A: We live at Jagannadhapuram at Korukonda Mandal in
East Godavari district. Q: Do you have any savings?

Q: How many members are in your family? A: Per month I save Rs. 50/- in SHG, I pay per year Rs.
5000/- for Rs. 50,000/- policy for my daughter.
A: We are 5, two sons, one daughter , myself and my
mother also live with us. 4 yrs back my husband died. Q: Do you have any plan for your children future?

Q: What did you study? A: I didn’t save anything for them. Till my last breath I Will
put my effort on my children education. I want to complete
A: After my husband’s death I completed my class 10th.
my degree and get permanent job.
Q: When did you get marry?
Q: Do you have any other livelihood?
A: 12 years back I got marry.
A: In my free time I conduct a local SHG meetings, I write
Q: when did you join as a CRP? SHG books, and I do leaf plate making. For my family
A: At first I joined as a health CRP in 2007. Then I worked survival I do any work.
as a TFI , Abhaya hastam CRP. Q: Would you like to share anything with us?
Q: What is your Present livelihood? A: I like to help others who are in need, till now I am
A: Now I am working with Helpage India CRP, I am doing working hard and leading a good life, I don’t ask anybodies
trainings for Elder self help groups, I can do tailoring and help. I want get permanent source of income. That is my
orange baskets making. I can handle the entire three well aim.

now.

30 May 2011 livelihoods

 Books
Book Summary

Name of the Book: Indian Textiles

wool; and the techniques of weaving, printing, painting,
and tie-dye. The second part of the book comprises a
detailed region-by-region account of traditional textile
Authors: Nicholas Barnard, John Gillow
production, including western India, famous for its dyed
and printed cloth, appliqué, and beadwork, plus other
centers in the north, south, and east, and in Sri Lanka.
Publisher: Thames
An array of 365 photographs, 335 in color, including over
one hundred new images, provides an unrivaled visual
presentation of the textiles. The reference section
‘Indian Textiles’ is a
includes information on technical terms, a list of
completely redesigned
museums and galleries, and an updated bibliography.
and expanded edition of
365 photographs, 335 in full-color.
a classic study, now in a
larger format and The author John Gillow researches and collects
including new chapters traditional textiles from India and Southeast Asia, and
on Pakistan, lectures and exhibits his collections in Europe. He lives in
Bangladesh, and Sri England and another author Nicholas Barnard has
Lanka. The interaction of written widely on non-Western textiles in such
peoples—indigenous publications as Living with Decorative Textiles.

tribes, invaders, traders,
explorers—throughout New Book
India's history has built a culture legendary for its variety
and color. From the RannS of Kutch to the Coromandel
Coast, from city to village, handloom weavers block Name of the Book:
printers, textile painters, dyers, and embroiderers Hand Made In India
continue India's flourishing textile traditions.
Editors:
The authors have traveled thousands of miles in a Aditi Ranjan, M.P. Ranjan
country they know intimately to gather information and
Publisher: Abbeville
photographs of tribal and folk textiles woven for use
within the family, as well as of workshop production in Press
villages and towns.
They first examine the cultural background to the textiles:
the history, from the earliest civilizations to Post-
Independence; the materials, including silks, cottons, and

Resources

Gramin Vikas Hastkala (GVM): Art, Resources and Teaching (A.R.T.):

(GVM) is an NGO which continuously playing a vital A.R.T based in Bangalore, India, was founded in
role in the development of Indian handicrafts society. 2001 to strengthen and foster relationships within
Gramin Vikas Hastakala (NGO)s extensive grass- and beyond the perimeters of art and architectural
roots connection and involvement in various handi- history, archaeology, craft, design and related disci-
crafts manufacturing form various villages from all plines. A.R.T.’s initiative lies in promoting research,
over the india. This NGO , representing various gathering resources, and generating creative explo-
classes of people and interests, plays a surrogate rations and teaching methodologies. Working in both
role by engaging in public policy making. formal and non-formal educational fora, A.R.T.
seeks to democratize art history and research, pro-
Chitralakshana.com was started in July 2002. The mote greater literacy about the politics of art and
Site's intention is to provide information on the vari- facilitate critical inquiries and practices.
ous concepts of Indian Art The team working to build [email protected]

Chitralakshana.com is profoundly qualified in Art his-
tory, computer design and internet concepts.

livelihoods May 2011 31

 Story

The Moon Lake

Once A large herd of elephants lived in a jungle. Their king was a huge, majestic tusker. He looked after them with love
and care. A severe drought hit the area. As there was no rain for a few years, all the rivers and tanks had dried up. Birds
and animals died of thirst. The wild elephants suffered for want of water. Their king knew that if they did not get water
soon, many of them would die of thirst. He had to find water as quickly as possible.
He asked the elephants to go in different directions to look for water. One of them found a large lake full of water in
another jungle far away. The king was happy. He ordered
all the elephants to make their way to the lake. It was a
beautiful lake. Close to it was a colony of rabbits. The
elephants had to pass through this colony. Thousands of
rabbits were trampled to death and thousands more were
injured. The rabbits were in a panic. Their king called a
meeting.
"A herd of wild elephants is passing through our colony," he
said. "They have already killed or injured thousands of us.
We have to take urgent steps to prevent more deaths. I
want all of you to think of a way to save our race." The
rabbits thought and thought. How could they stop the
elephants? One little rabbit stood up.
"Your Majesty," he said, "if you will send me as your
messenger to the king of the elephants, I may be able to
find a solution." "By all means, go as my messenger and
see what you can do." The little rabbit hurried out.
He saw a group of elephants returning from the lake. Right
in the middle was the king. To get near him was impossible.
"I will be crushed to death,' thought the rabbit. So he
climbed up a huge rock.
"O, king of the elephants," he shouted, "hear me, please." The king heard his voice and turned towards him.
"Well, who are you?" he asked. "I am a messenger," replied the rabbit. "A messenger? From whom?" "I am a messenger
from the mighty Moon." "What is your business? Is there a message for me from the Moon?" "Yes, yes, your Majesty. But
you must not be angry with me. Please remember that a messenger is never punished for what he has to say. He is only
doing his duty." "Very well. Say what you have been sent to say. I shall not harm you." "Sir," said the little rabbit, "the
Moon has this to say"
" You, the king of the elephants, have brought your herd to my holy lake and soiled its waters. You have killed thousands
of rabbits on your way to the lake. You know that rabbits are under my special protection. Everyone knows that the king
of the rabbits lives with me. I ask you not to kill any more rabbits. Otherwise something terrible will happen to you and
your herd."
The king of the elephants was shocked. He looked at the little rabbit. "You are right," he said. "We may have killed many
rabbits on our way to the lake. I shall see that you do not suffer anymore. I shall request the Moon to forgive me for my
sins. Please tell me what I should do." "Come with me alone," replied the rabbit. "Come, I shall take you to the Moon."
The little rabbit took the huge elephant to the lake. There they saw the Moon reflected in the still waters. "There, your
Majesty, meet the Moon," said the little rabbit.
"Let me worship the divine Moon," said the elephant, and dipped his trunk into the water. At once the water was
disturbed. The Moon seemed to move to and fro. The rabbit said, "Now the Moon is angrier than ever." "Why?' asked the
king. "What have I done?" "You have touched the holy waters of the lake," replied the rabbit. The elephant bowed his
head. "Please ask the Moon to forgive me. Never again will we touch the holy waters of this lake. Never again will we
harm the rabbits whom the Moon loves so much." And the king and his herd went away. Soon there was rain and the
elephants lived happily. It did not occur to them ever that a little rabbit had fooled them.

MORAL: Wit can win over might.

32 May 2011 livelihoods

 Trends and Statistics

Handicrafts’ Exports
Indian handmade products have a niche market all over the world creating a distinct impact through exclusive designs,
workmanship, finesse, colors and raw material etc. The sector shows a not so significant growth in the 2009-10 fiscal but
grows substantially in the first half of the 2010-11 fiscal. Keeping in view the trend, the sector is expected to show
phenomenal results by the end of 2011.

The swiftly rising growth in handicraft exports came about after a two-year collapse, from the second half of the last
financial year, and the upward trend continues till date. Although there has been an increase in all product categories,
however the increase fashion accessories has been commendable. Fashion product section comprise of costume
jewellery, hand-printed textiles and scarves, embroidered and crocheted garments, bags and purses, zari supplies,
footwear, shawls, belts, chappals, and stoles etc. The average growth of the Fashion accessories section has been
around 32% in the first three months of the current fiscal year. While the international market for fashion jewellery and
accessories is around $16 billion, India's share in this is zero. Increase has been noticed in nearly all the products
categories in exports of handicrafts. In some categories, it showed less and in some it showed more progress.

S.No Units Growth in %

1 Imitation Jewellery 26
2 Wood wares 24.27

3 Shawls and art wares 22.39

4 Zari and Zari Products 19.23

5 Art metal ware 17.07

The major handicraft hubs of world markets are Moradabad, Jaipur, Saharanpur, Jodhpur and Narsapur and they utilize
about 1 million people. The Ministry of Commerce, Government of India has set an export target of Rs. 10,000 crore by
the end of this year. To achieve the target, there is a need to chalk out a clear-cut export strategy. Some of the points
which may provide advantage to it is promotion of lesser known and environment friendly crafts viz. paper and jute-based
handicrafts, exploring non-traditional markets in the regions of South America and South Africa, and Israel, up gradation
of quality to make India's crafts competitive enough in the international market, organizing training programs for
expanding skills of the craftsmen, upgrading technology and introducing contemporary tools for making improved
production, organizing workshops, sponsoring buyer-seller meets and trade-fairs, undertaking R & D in areas such as
technology, manufacturing process, designing, and product development.

livelihoods May 2011 33

 Contrasts

Milk Collection Centre

Shining Livelihoods

Selling Combs and Pins

Declining Livelihoods

34 May 2011 livelihoods

 ‘Yoga’kshemam
Happy Buddha Purnima! and being in love and friendship; laugh freely, be essential
yourself, maintain a youthful mind and carry out a childlike
There was some activity for May Day, Mothers’ Day (8 activity as often as possible.
May) and World No Tobacco Day (31 May). We also
remembered Gurudev Vishwakavi Rabindranath Tagore I have also gathered a list of values for someone who
(May 7). wants to work with others (be an employee) –
As usual, other International Days passed – Fair Trade Strong work ethic – loving the work, working hard, working
Day (14 May – second Saturday in May), Family Day (15 smart
May), Information Society Day (17 May), and Diversity Dependability – on time, responsible, keep others informed
Days (21 and 22 May).
Positive attitude
We await International Children’s Day (1 June), World
Environment Day (5 June), World Day Against Child Adaptability – flexibility as per the changing needs
Labour (12 June), World Blood Donor Day (14 June), Integrity – moral fibre, sense of honesty, trust, ethics
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (17
June), Fathers’ Day (third Sunday of June – 19 June), Self-motivated – discipline, professionalism
World Music Day (21 June), UN Public Service Day (23 Motivated to Learn
June).
Self-confidence – admit mistakes, recognize strengths and
We also await monsoon and mirgam! Summer is taking its weaknesses, work on the negatives
toll on all of us!
Professionalism – timely, quality, learning, behavior
Fully immersed in institutions of people, women, differenty-
abled and elderly, for savings, credit, insurance, health, Loyalty to the ends and means
collective business and solidarity! Partnerships and I have read a poem/song ‘Waqt Nahin’ [No time] – it
collaborations for identifying and inducting knowledge roughly translates as – People can access any joy/
workers at various levels, and knowledge and learning pleasure; yet, they have no time for a little smile. In the
channels continued to dominate our world of running day and night, there is no
working space. Of course, the time for ‘life’. … there are lots of friends in
preparations for writing the report of the
working group of planning commission on
G Muralidhar the mobile, yet there is no time for
friendship, … there is no time for even
National Rural Livelihoods Mission is also own people… there is no time for
taking its time. sleeping… there is no time for crying too…in fact, there is
The national launch of National Rural Livelihoods Mission no time for getting tired …there is no time for own dreams
on 3 June 2011 at Banswara is expected to step-up NRLM even … there is no time to live ….. Life is to live and we
processes in the country! need to find all the time for it.

Nara Chandra Babu Naidu admits that he was carried Soul’s Journey into Joy, of blissful merger in the Soul of
away by the ‘certificates’ of Bill Clinto, Bill Gates, Tony the Universe, is possible with using a trident of love – love
Blair, Wolfenson etc., and now he realizes that wealth as everyone wants/needs to be loved; make each one feel
needs to be distributed equitably apart from facilitating its s/he is important; and praise/appreciate each one and her/
creation! his contribution as everyone needs appreciation. Use this
trident and express it – liberally – verbally and non-verbally
As we take reprieve from Sathya Sai Baba, Cricket, – thoughts, words and deeds. Show it. As Sriram says
Examinations and Elections, the Telangana is coming back ‘stab’ with trishulam. What you get is not blood but love.
to central stage. Jayalalithaa comes back in Tamil Nadu, And you journey into Joy.
Mamata takes charge in West Bengal, Oommen Chand
scrapes through in Kerala. Rahul Gandi fights for farmers In the confluence of the souls, we are in ‘trishulayaanam’
in UP and MSP (Minimum Support Prices) agitations are seeking and relishing saha-amritayogam to be in harmony
not able to impress Union Government. with universal raas leela and sahathaandavam.

Flow and pursuit persists because we are designed for Can we be there? Yes, if we pursue Atma Yoga.
being so, despite mounting deficits in rest and sleep. So be Relentless focus on understanding co-existence through
it! expression of love, importance and appreciation, for being
in universal usefulness! Krshna confirms - any free soul
During the month, secrets to grow younger and live longer that practices and pursues relentless devotion achieves
have been gathered (courtesy – Deepak Chopra) – affirm knowledge of existence and being useful and sees
everyday and every way – ‘I am increasing my mental and direction for action, for being one viswaatma.
physical capacity’; get into restful awareness/meditate
regularly; sleep restfully after eating early, walking a bit Join us in the world of yoga – for the joyous co-existence
and writing down the thoughts; take balanced food that of the innermost and viswaatama - towards
includes six tastes – sweet, salty, sour, pungent, bitter and saharaasathaandavayogasiddhi. You will not regret it.

astringent – and rainbow colors; walk around and exercise
a bit; be in human contact by staying connected/related

livelihoods May 2011 35

36 May 2011 livelihoods