Unknown Udaipur

Gracious parents of the groom

The setting an unknown tribal village faraway from any urban facilities. Scorching sun and dry landscape is all that you see around. Electricity has reached this village but there is hardly any connectivity. But I still hear a microphone blaring. I am told there is wedding in the village and the sound boxes are running on a diesel generator making a lot of noise and polluting the air me thinks quietly. Although used to the city din, the blaring sound system in this backward setting somehow was out of sync. A typical Dalit or Tribal village in India.

Gaining voice share

I have come to meet a group of 10 women who are determined to fight all odds and change their lives. It's a faraway cry from the ritzy razzmatazz of the grand palaces and swank hotels. But this is the Udaipur I love. Where human resilience thrives. Money might be scarce but the smiles are in abundance greeting us and welcoming us to their homes.

I agree we have a lot less than our friends in the West or emerging China, but the magical India that all are allured by lives in these villages. 

I do often get the question "Tell me, how does India work?" from my friends in the west. Well, this is how it works. With devolution of power and self governance starting from the local gram Panchayats. Yes, I am aware it's not all corruption free, nor is it free of  bad practices, but the foundation has been laid and we will get there I am confident. With a democracy home to 20% of the world's population trust me it is not an easy task. We are not talking of small homogeneous countries here. Going forward I am sure this is the India people will visit, rather than just making stops at the "fun beats" alone. This is the soul of India where the real action is I am afraid but to discover that one needs to endure the hardships a little bit while holidaying. But if one does that rewards are far beyond expectations.

Slumberous Dhaurah village

1500 women in the sleepy Salumber, 80 Kms away from Udaipur, have started the process of change together. They had no means or opportunity of sustainable livelihood till Vishvas Sansthan, Udaipur based NGO started working with SWITCH-Asia, Going Green project.  The self help groups will be linked with National Rural Livelihood Mission in accessing small loans for their groups as a working capital for small businesses. They are making beautiful handcrafted products with textile waste. This will directly reduce the burden of waste going to the landfill and also provide employment opportunities where there are none beyond marginalised labour for agricuture. They have no land of their own to yield any crops so they work as labourers from time to time.   

Shopping bags stitched out of textile waste

Waloo Devi greets me warmly to her home. The sewing machine sits in the corner, shining in thr streaming sun light. It looks like a beacon in the solitary room. Waloo Devi's pride and joy. This is her home and work space too. Her bright smile makes you see possibilities where change is slow to reach.  At 50 her enthusiasm is infectious. She shows me the shopping bags she has made with pride. A first time learner of stitching and handcrafting she sees tremendous potential in making sustainable textile products to supplement her family's income and gain a voice share in the family's financial discussions. 

Hope

So far she was dependent on her husband's income alone and had no access to financial resources leave alone a bank account. Now not only she has an account she has already taken a small loan from the group funds to purchase her equipment, the new sewing machine. 

An old sturdy drum of paint doubles as her chair in her working area and rest of the room is bare. The splash of colour is only seen in the shelf with rolls of bags stitched by her jutting out almost like her smiling self. 

As the sun began to set we started to exchange our good byes, my heart over came with hope. Not only had I met a singular set of women who had determination and courage, but also a vision of their own. Most importantly they had dreams. And now they were working on it.