Innovative bracelets earn group a whopping order!

By: Sudarshan Ramabadran

Little did the Siddheshwari Sakhi Mandal (self-help group) in Patan realise that their talent will be recognised and put to optimum use. The group known for making handbracelets struck gold after bagging an order of delivering 10 lakh bracelets to the Swami Narayan Temple in Baroda by 2015 after participating in the Baroda’s Saras Mela (fair).

Much deserved are the women in the group who belong to the Parmar community (SC). Societal oppression from the upper class was a regular feature for them to deal with.

Having put in intense hours of labour work in agriculture, the group decided to move on by decisively stepping into making bracelets, japa mala (accessory used for chanting), and other accessories. They were ably trained by Manjula Vaghela, a member of the group. She brought together people who were genuinely interested to learn and formed the sakhi mandal.

Siddheshwari Sakhi Mandal members put considerable time in agriculture

“We set out to train and it took us nearly 6 months to gain confidence that we can indeed deliver the goods by making these accessories such as bracelets etc.”, explained Manjula

Having gained in confidence and with Mission Mangalam showing faith in their abilities by providing them with necessary market linkages, the group began to set up stalls in Patan district bus stand to showcase their skills. They even went to the extent of visiting nearby temples and setting up stalls.

“Yes there is travel, but we have learnt that this is part and parcel of managing your own livelihood, so we do not shy away from showcasing our products anywhere.” said Aruna Makwana another member of the group.

Mission Mangalam ensured that the group participates in the Saras melas across Gujarat, so that others can witness their talent.

“During the Saras Mela in Baroda, we had members from the Swami Narayan Temple come over and look out our work. They were impressed with our bracelets and have placed an order of 10 lakh such bracelets to be delivered to them before 2015.”, said Manjula with a beaming smile on her face.

The group on an average sells for Rs. 10,000 every month and during festive occasions such as Diwali and Shravan months; they sell close to Rs. 25,000 per month. All the members of the group earn a steady Rs. 3,000 per month to sustain their livelihood and have managed to balance their household work and profession.

Siddheshwari Sakhi Mandal members making bracelets and other accessories

“We give two-three hours soon after we have completed our household work in making these accessories. We have the support of our family.”, said Lakshmi Vaghela, another member of the group.

The group procures its raw materials from Ahmedabad and Manjula’s husband offers his support to the group by shuttling to and fro Ahmedabad to get them the required materials. Women in the group are happy that this mode of livelihood generation has given them an opportunity to work from home.

“It is convenient for us, as we can pursue this right from our houses.”, said Champa Vaghela, another member of the group.

Siddheshwari Sakhi Mandal is indeed an example of how Mission Mangalam has provided the group with successful and innovative marketing platforms for their produced materials.

In sync with one of Mission Mangalam’s core objectives, the group is also provided with opportunities to participate at various fairs at district and state level to showcase their products.

This article originally features in the book 'Good Governance : People's Voice which has been published by the Commissionerate of Information.

Bhavda walks the path of change

By: Sudarshan Ramabadran

Poor sanitation, immense scarcity of water and most importantly oppression from the society; this is exactly what an extremely backward Bhavda village in Ahmedabad district was known for.

With the advent of time self-belief and significant change in mind set has resulted in the village taking rapid strides to walk the path of change.

Bhavda houses 750 people belonging to the Other Backward Caste (OBC) and Schedule Caste(SC) communities. A tail end village, women had to walk 8 times a day covering 8 kilometres up and down per time to fetch their share of water. The walk was filled with strain and uncertainty as the women folk did not know if they would get water, as a result of the oppression they had to face coming from a backward community.

Bhavda women travel 8 km to fetch water 

“We used to be really unsure; sometimes we had to walk in the day and sometimes in the night. There was no respect for us, fights were a regular feature. All that which was on our mind was we had to ensure our children get water, our family gets water. Therefore we must walk.”, said Kasi Jamvat, now an Anganwadi worker in the village.

Just when things were looking miserable, Bhavda got its act together and decisively embarked upon the goal of ensuring water to every house.

Devanji, a resident in the village says the move was welcomed with a lot of resistance. “People were just not ready to change. It required a change in the mind set to believe that our village can get uninterrupted water.”, he said.

The Sector Reform Scheme (SRS) meant 10% of the contribution had to come from the village. Thus, it took 3 years for the village folks to understand how essential it was. This is where the dialogue between WASMO and the village helped people to know how managing your own water supply can benefit the community at large.

Dialogue between WASMO officials and villagers 

“The field workers of WASMO never gave up. They used to visit every house and understand the problems we faced. Sometimes they were welcomed, sometimes they were not, but this did not stop them from giving Bhavda a ray of hope to manage its own water requirements.”, added Meruji another resident of the village.

Youth in the village began to play an active role in making the people aware of how essential it was to have their own water resources and the responsibility which came with it.

Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation) was evident as things began to fall in place. The principal of the primary school in the village led from the front and donated for the cause as part of the village contribution to the scheme. As a result the Gram Panchayat and its Pani Samiti decided to implement the SRS.

Plan of Water supply line in Bhavda

Water Tank in Bhavda

Bhavda installed a tube well, a water tank with 50000 litres water supply, and a 1050 metres water supply line which ensured water reached every house. 

The transformation was beginning to show. “Women now engage themselves in embroidery as an income generating activity. Fights have stopped and we are giving ample quality time to our families as well. That is how important water is to us.”, said Kasi.

Youngsters in the village were also taken for exposure visits on how best to maintain what they have in place back home. Now Bhavda not only ensures water for every home, but for all those who are dependent on animal husbandry, water has become sufficient for even their animals as well. “Since installation, we have had no issues. Through this we not only have water at our homes, but have understood to use water judiciously. We have water for our animals as well.”, said a joyous Mohan who is into animal husbandry. 

WASMO leads to societal transformation

Thought tail end by nature, Bhavda is definitely one of the examples where societal transformation is discernible through the works of WASMO and also a case where involvement of the entire village has brought about a paradigm shift through community management of water resources.

This article originally features in the book 'Good Governance : People's Voice which has been published by the Commissionerate of Information