The story of Sita Devi and how she participated in making her life a success.

1. Colors of Surajpur
The story of IINREM

2. Face off with reality
Commercialization of land & natural
resources have forced agrarian societies off
their traditional occupations and livelihoods

3. Face off with reality
These societies are undergoing transformation
from an entirely rural society to an urban,
industrialized society.

4. Face off with reality
Men of these areas do not see steady and
regular employment as a way to ensure a
sustainable lifestyle

5. Face off with reality
Faced with the same problems of poverty and urbanisation the small village of “Surajpur”
in Noida, India, the responsibility of earning fell on women. Sita Devi and many like her
took charge and tried to capitalise on traditional craft skills they had learnt from
childhood.

6. Help came
from.... The Indian
Institute of Natural Resource
Management
(IINREM).
The aim was two-fold: to organize the
weavers of five villages of western Uttar
Pradesh (including Surajpur) that were
identified by local Government officials as
particularly demoralised and deracinated,
and to provide women with marketable
skills.

7. The Solution
The Indian Institute of Natural Resource
Management (IINREM) - mapped the
needs of the market and the skill levels of
the local women, deciding to train them
on weaving skills as well as marketing
capabilities.
- A Common Facility Centre (CFC) was
setup by IINREM for providing training,
dyeing of yarn & loom improvement.
- Cooperative society, the Mahila Bunkar
Sahakari Samiti was incorporated that
consisted of women weavers.

8. Sita Devi was part of
the training
organized by
Sita Devi IINREM, she then
became a part of the
cooperative society,
Mahila Bunkar
Sahakari Samiti.

9. Today, a variety of craft products are made in the Surajpur centre by
Sita Devi and others like her

10. Durries & Rugs
Napkins
Durries & Rugs Place Mats

11. New business opportunities have brought in new
technology and encouraged the use of modern dyes in
response to international market demand.

12. Technology – a constant need
IINREM soon realized to ensure good
quality of products not only better
technology is required but also an in-house
dyeing unit would resolve several dying
issues. A modern dye set up now ensures
good quality dyeing and perfect colour
matching.
The weaving of durries and covers happens
on different hand looms like
•The pit loom - 10
•The punja - vertical loom - 12
•The 4 pedal hand loom - 15
There are good quality sewing machines
for finishing and room dedicated for
quality checking.

13. Fair Wage
for all
INREM has encouraged
interaction between the
weavers and the exporters ,
ensuring fair earnings for
the weavers.

14. Systems and
Processes
Systems have been put in place
for purchase and collection of
raw material and storage.
Monthly salaries ensure
continuous work and therefore
continuous production – the
products are quality checked
regularly before being
dispatched to buyers.

15. Surajpur is soon emerging as a craft centre
with tremendous potential.

16. IINREM is also bringing about social
change in Surajpur

17. Sita Devi is now earning a monthly salary and
sends her two children to the nearby school. She
no longer needs to depend on seasonal field work
or on her alcoholic husband.
Sita Devi - a story of
economic independence

18. How can you help.....
The Surajpur centre is looking to be economically
independent so that the profits made should be able to
sustain the lively hoods of the crafts people.

19. Looking Ahead
Identifying new markets and products for the
Cooperative remains an on-going effort by
Cooperative members and by IINREM.
- The Cooperative may expand its membership
if there are projects that train women in
compatible skills.
- With a view to improving the conditions of
the present Cooperative and strengthening its
work, IINREM hopes to establish accessible
health facilities for the women and their
families.
- Development process requires a sustainable
income generation program for women,
allowing them to develop independence and
confidence.

20. Surajpur aspires to have....
A recycling plant – water used of dyeing should
be prevented from seeping into the ground.
Tie up with tara for better looms,
A training for upgradation of sewing skills.
Involving more manpower for the following
Daily planning of weaving/ work
Documentation of work
Design guidance
Inter personal training
Management training
Marketing know how and selling skills

21. You can help!
Buy a Product
The future of Sita
Devi and others like
her are in your Volunteer your
hands. services
They seek your Adopt a project
support and
contribution. Adopt a family
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