Clean Ambaji, Green Ambaji

 By: Sudarshan Ramabadran

Armed with the vision of Clean Ambaji, Green Ambaji; women of the Payal and Jay Ambe- Sakhi Mandal (self-help group) from below poverty line families are leading from the front in the form of change makers to contribute to an environmentally friendly Ambaji in Banaskantha.

Recognising the need to be sensitive towards the environment and laying emphasis on both solid and liquid waste management. The women have set out on an ardous task to collect waste from houses in over 7 colonies in the temple town of Ambaji.

Thanks to the efforts of these women, stray cattle, roads littered with garbage and overflowing gutters are soon becoming a past in Ambaji.

Payal & Jay Ambe Sakhi Mandal members collecting waste

Guided by Mission Mangalam, women of the Payal and Jay Ambe Sakhi Mandal have been brought together to form the Solid and Liquid waste management unit. In addition to collecting waste from the colonies, the women also gather and segregate waste from the Ambaji temple and the main market in the town.

Payal & Jay Ambe Sakhi Mandal members collecting waste from Ambaji temple and main market

“500 shops in the market have been given two dust bins, one in red and the other in green. We have explained to them that they ought to throw solid waste into the red one and the liquid waste into the green one.” said Bharti Chauhan a member of the group.

For most of the members of the group, this opportunity has come has a blessing in disguise. The opportunity has helped them get rid of uncertain times and pursue a steady income generating activity.

Earlier the women used to work in local Dharamsalas (rest houses) with undefined daily wages. Mission Mangalam has not only managed to bring them together for a purposeful objective but has succeeded in easing out their doubts by having a meaningful dialogue, helping them understand the importance of the activity.

“Prior to this, I was used to doing menial labour work with irregular payments. Sometimes if I had worked in 5 houses a day, I would get paid better. This also prompted me to be heavily dependent on my son for money. After having this dialogue with Mission Mangalam, we felt pursuing this will help us become independent and also contribute to the society at large.”, said Mangu Raval, a member of the project.

Creating awareness about Red and Green dustbins

Relentless hard work is visible as the women spend 8 hours a day in gathering and segregating solid, liquid waste and are earning Rs. 4,500 per month as a source of their livelihood.

Apart from earning, empowerment in their eyes is discernible. The women today are aware and are able to ascertain the cost per waste disposed. “If solid waste of one kilo gram is thrown outside a residence, then it can be worth Rs. 8. It depends on the quantity. This has taught us sensitivity towards managing waste.”, said Sharada Raval, another member of the group.

For some the experience has contributed to them coming out of their comfort zone to segregate waste and pursue this form of activity.

“Definitely, when I started I used to feel nauseatic on seeing waste, but with time I noticed, women like me are working hard to achieve an objective. I only felt inspired and was determined to give it my best.”, said Shanti Raval, a member of the group.

The women have also started reaching out to others in the nearby towns and villages to be part of the initiative. Manjula Rathod is an example, who travels 20 kilometres from Danta to be part of the project. “I was keen on what was being done, so I decided to come and see what these women were up to. Their hard work inspired me and I felt I could do this with them too.”, said Manjula.

Payal & Jay Ambe Sakhi Mandal members have made waste management a profitable business model

As India progresses on the path of development in this new age of resource scarcity and increasing population pressure leading to increased waste generation, the issue of waste management assumes critical importance. These women have importantly shown waste is gold and that proper waste management makes perfect business sense.

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

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.