NGOs revive handicrafts, light up hopes of needy

An exhibition of crafts made by Virsa Punjab at Art Gallery in Amritsar on Friday. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 13

In order to ease economic blow suffered by local business and artisans during the lockdown, several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) collaborated with self-help groups to give impetus to the ‘Local for Vocal’ campaign.

As festive season hopes to revive the market, exhibits featuring Diwali and handicrafts made by local weavers would also help the needy to tide over difficult times.

The Majha House collaborated with the Shramik Bharti who came up with an exhibition of handicrafts made by rural women. From durries to woven lamps, furniture, crochet and traditional phulkari, the exhibition at Art Gallery hopes to help women come out financial crunch.

The Shramik Bharti, which supports the Virsa Women’s Craft, a self-help group comprising women artisans and weavers had been organising exhibitions in the past as well to promote local handicrafts.

Harvinder Singh of the Shramik Bharati, said, “We collaborated with several experts from the field of deisgning and marketing to train rural women in not just reviving traditional handicrafts to suit modern tastes, but also teach them entrepreneurship skills, so that they can brand and market their products as well.”

“The project is supported by four designers from reputed institutes. We increase the scope by identifying skills and potential of those women, who are not only producers of handicrafts, but also entrepreneurs.”

Rejuvenating handicrafts, including phulkari and punja durries, the project aims to move beyond just festive shopping and create a network of loyal customers.

The All India Pingalwara Charitable Society had also put up a Diwali specific exhibition to showcase creative efforts of special children. The one-day expo showcased wax and clay lamps, candles and other Diwali décor made by kids studying at Pingalwara-run school. Dr Inderjit Kaur, Director, Pingalwara, said, “Through this initiative, we highlight skills of our special children and give them a chance to earn. There is a scope of making them self-reliant.”