Adarsh Hastshilp Samooh (formerly Sunita Handicrafts) – in Badapur, New Delhi

Adarsh Hastshilp Samooh (formerly Sunita handicrafts) is a Self Help group cum micro enterprise run by Sunita (Ms.) and several other artisans. It is based in Tajpur Pahadi, Badarpur in South Delhi. Badarpur was a village in olden times. With the passage of time it has developed into a squatter settlement, inhabited by large number of internal migrants. Majority of the inhabitants work in the factories as labourers/workers. Due to the closure of some industries many inhabitants have no stable employment. They survive by working in the unorganized sector or doing some petty jobs. Most of the women are home based workers and are often victim of the exploitation by working for the contractors who pay them meager wages. In recent times due to the decrease in orders in the market, the women are not able to get the work even from the local contractors.

Sunita and her fellow artisans were also the victim of the unorganized trade and were exploited. Sunita along with some of her family members and other fellow workers used to work for a contractor doing embroidery work. Since her father lost the job there was no other means of survival than to work to fulfill their daily needs. They could earn INR 30/- to 40/- per day. It was a struggle to get the work and wages on time. It was important to earn to feed the children and themselves. Due to the unfavorable economic circumstances Sunita and other fellow women had to work under the contractor. The women were not able to protest being not enough educated and aware. But they had the spirit and hope to change their lives for better future. Their dignity and self respect was at stake. The economic situation worsened having low untimely payment. Sunita and her fellow artisans approached Tara for the support. In the year 2005 social workers had meetings with the artisans and consequently it was decided to support the group, formed by them on experimental basis. It was named ‘Sunita Handicrafts’.

Due to the new government registration related norms in year 2016, we had to change the name of the group to Adarsh Hastshilp Samooh.

At present “Adarsh Hastshilp Samooh” is one of the regular jewellery artisan micro enterprises/ self help group. It is coordinated by Sunita (Ms.). Comparatively, the group is more organized now. Their goal is to work as per the Fair Trade Standards with the best of their efforts. Sunita and her fellow artisans are more aware and confident today. She says “I am surprised to realize that trade can be human. I am happy to be the part of Fair Trade. It made me and others confident in many ways. We have learnt to say what we feel.”

Tara helped the group financially to develop a better workplace. To begin with they hired workplace on rent. The positive development is that they have constructed a new workplace now which is spacious then the previous one, which was in a house. This development has given them more confidence and comfort. The community members and their children are also able to get benefit from the nearby Tara community centre, which is used for community meetings, tuition for the children in need and vocational tailoring centre for the deserving women of the area.

There are also many other women who have learnt to make the jewellery. The new designs are still challenging to produce but they are learning with the best of their efforts. The group comprises both trainees as well as skilled artisans. Some of them work also from home (as they have children) on per piece basis. On an average they work for 5-6 hours a day. They earn from INR 9000/- to INR 14000/- per month, depending on their skills and the availability of the orders. Sustainable work continues to be a challenge due to decreasing orders in the last two years.

With the support provided by Tara the group is also running three Self Help Groups comprising of 45 members. Each member in the group save INR 200/- to INR 500/- per month. The benefit of this concept is that the members are collectively saving their money and are able to give credit to each other when required. In this way they also do not depend on the money lenders. Jyoti, one of the member beneficiaries says “earlier I didn’t like this concept to deposit the money, as I was not sure about its safety, but now I am more aware and I am happy to be the member of the self help group. It gives me the sense of financial security”.

The artisans of this group are also provided health insurance up to INR 50000/- per year. Several artisans have benefitted from this scheme so far. The artisans are working comparatively in a better condition than earlier.

In the words of Sunita, “Fair Trade brought hope in our lives. It has brought awareness and helped us to be more confident and strong now. But still it is a concern as we do not have regular work”.