IT’S NOT ABOUT CRAFT

The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken India`s economy to the core. Though everyone has taken a hit, some have been hit more than others. The rural artisans are amongst those severely impacted.  According to government figures, there are an estimated seven million artisans in India, however other sources peg the number to 200 million.  The artisans constitute the backbone of India’s Handicraft sector, but at the time of duress are left to fend for themselves. Though some craftworkers do own land, millions do not. These landless artisans are forced to work as landless farmers or to migrate to cities as daily wage labourers. This puts the entire sector of traditional handicrafts at risk.

We at Indha Craft (www.indha.in) have been trying to revive the receding Indian handicrafts sector by creating a market for the products across India and abroad. Global markets are slowly evolving and have begun to like the handmade, thereby giving hope to rural artisanal communities.

The lockdown has unfortunately impacted the lives of these communities once again. Due to the pandemic, markets have collapsed. These artisans are forced to traverse uncertainties and turn towards daily wage work to sustain themselves and their families. This lockdown has taken away their livelihoods and any kind of survival security. With the forced migration, they also face health risks posed by the pandemic.

We would like to make an appeal to support the impacted artisan families whom we are unable to help. Indha Artisans are at the brink of losing hope, and they need financial support to stay positive and with the belief that this too shall pass.

We are reaching out to all you Indha supporters to contribute whatever possible so that the artisans can sustain themselves for a month. We expect the markets to open soon with IndhaCraft gearing up to market Indha products soon.

Your smallest contribution could be one`s day`s ration for a Family.

Click here to donate online https://www.literacyindia.org/relief-fund-for-poorest-of-the-poor/