This is regarding the Ambar Charkha Project to be initiated in some villages in Patdi taluka of Surrendernagar district. I visited the area and found many people have migrated to other villages for employment and have engaged themselves a daily wage earner by working as agricultural labourers or other manual work, whatever is available. Beside, I have been keeping in touch with local Khadi Gramudyog and Bhal Nalkhantha Sanghan Shetra Samitee, these are Khadi co-operative, which works with the poor people for employment generation.
I asked them, whether it would be a viable to provide Ambar Charkha to earthquake affected people in the region and how far they can help us in providing the raw material and take finished product. It seemed to me they were not encouraging for Ambar Charkha, for various reasons due to prevailing recession for last two years, therefore, they find it difficult to sell their khadi products. Hence, they have stopped even supplying raw material to their members of course they do supply raw material to their members, who work on looms ( hand looms).
Due to innovation in technology, the existing Ambar charkha with primitive capacity, have become outdated hence people do not prefer them due to low capacity output. And most of weavers have shifted to hand looms and power looms for more output.
The sophisticated Ambar Charkha cost more Rs.8000/- to Rs.10000. Which is not affordable budget as per our proposal, as per our proposal per beneficiary cost was Rs. 2300/- (Rs.1800/- Charkha cost and Rs.500/- Raw material), Still in time of recession, finding market is difficult for finished product. As registered co-operatives get government? rebate but direct seller in the market does not get any rebate from the state government, the only way is to tie up with registered co-operative body for getting raw material and depositing the finished product.
We approached a Patdi based co-operative to help us but they suggested to either wait for improved situation or contact Viramgam based Bhal Nalkhantha Sanghan Shetra Samittee. So we met them, they suggested not to go Ambar Charkha, as it be difficult for them procure raw material and takers of finished product. But they suggested us reviving of existing loom weavers for livelihood regeneration, as they also make cotton cloth. As the weavers have their looms (wooden and iron structure to make cloth from cotton thread) but no raw material if the weavers are provided theraw material, they can make cloth and the co-operative is ready to accept the cloth for making bed sheets, which have great demand in the market. The Bhal Nalkantha co-operative is providing raw material and also collecting finished product from the weavers. The weavers get the wages and raw material from the said co-operative so that their livelihood cycle can restart. But the Bhal Nalkantha can help us in Limdi taluka of the same district (Surrendernagar) and villages in Limbdi was also severely affected in earthquake.
We prefer to help earthquake affected weavers of Karol, Bhioka Ankewaria and Rannagar (Disha had distributed tarpaulin sheets and blankets in Karol and Bhoika villages as immediate relief measure).
As the weavers have looms but they lack the finance for buying cotton thread (The thread is made out of cotton balls). And weavers financial conditions is weak because of persisting drough and earthquake completely damaged their financial condition as after the earthquake, the weavers used up whatever they were having with them. Disha can provide cotton thread through The Bhal Nal co-operative. The co-operative has shown keenness to get finished product of cloth from the weavers and provide them wages (wages are fixed by the Khadi Commission and are based on measurement of cloth) and raw material but for revival of looms first finance should come from Disha as they do not have enough funds to revive them.
I hope you wont have problem in changing the geographical areas and ambar charkha to revive existing weavers looms affected in earthquake. You may ask "What about Ambar Charkha beneficiaries?" We have alternative for them. Beside, we can still be helpful to earthquake affected people in Patdi by providing them hand carts for self employment, they may sell vegetables, fruits, plastics kitchen items or cutlery item or cosmetics or other item, as Ambar charkas may not be viable solution in the present situation. The handcarts and some help for buying items may cost around Rs.3000/- per beneficiary and they can start self- employment and still earn the livelihood.
We will only start, if you agree with above. I wait for your response. Please do let me know about your views, so that I can start pursuing the work. This has been done to keep you informed and aware of problem and participate in decision making.