Sadhna is "A Women’s Handicraft Enterprise with the aim of providing an alternative means of livelihood to the women of rural, tribal and urban slum areas in southern Rajasthan. Ownership
of the organization lies in the hands of these artisans and the entire surplus earned goes to these only." Whilst travelling try to visit NGOs doing good work. They have a showroom in Old Fatehpura
Udaipur-about 15 minute drive from City Palace.
Cushion covers and light blanket. Sadhna started in 1998 as a division of Sewa Mandir. It became an independent organization in 2004. It started with 15 women artisans. The
family is now 714 women large. I visited their stitching units in Udaipur and Delwara.
Saris. All lady artisans are covered by ESIC and amount paid into their bank accounts. Every lady undergoes 3 month training. 700 odd women artisans are spread over 25 villages. They are
managed by 49 lady group leaders. I visited in November 2017.
Curtains on display in showroom. Sadhna is known for its embroidery work. They make bags, jholas, kurtas, kurtis, skirts, men shirts and kurtas amongst others.
Close to the Fatehpura showroom is a unit where garments are made. In terms of process and functions it is like any other garment manufacturing unit. U can see some children
too. I found the work environment relaxed and work oriented.
There is a block printing unit as well. Sadhna gets fabric from suppliers. As on date of visit it sold all output to FabIndia. Sadhna office number is 91 294 2454655.
This is a unit at Delwara i.e. about 30 minutes drive from Udaipur. It is where the famous hotel Devi Garh is situated. I also visited some artisan homes here. Just before Delwara
is Eklinghji, who is the reigning deity of the Maharana of Mewar. Must visit.
Hall where ladies work. Sadhna is a member of Fair Trade Forum- India, Export Promotion Council of Handicrafts (EPCH) and WFTO.
Lady at work. I spoke to some ladies. They are happy with working facility and helps increase household income too.
Younger lot working with headphone in their ears. Sometimes think that the cell phone revolution is perhaps the greatest social leveler.
Ironing happens here too. There is a small unit that generates steam for the iron. Found ladies working quietly and focused.
The smile on this ladies face says it all. I am glad visited Sadhna. India needs more organizations like them. U can buy their products online too. Visit their site http://www.sadhna.org/
The embroidery work is done by women who work from home. In Delwara village decided to meet some of them. There were two groups of
women working outside their homes. House belongs to one Masterji, more about that later.
Went into one of the homes too. Women of all ages do this work. Earn between 2-3k per month, sometimes even more. Paid on a per garment basis. Delwara also has ancient Jain Temple.
View of Delwara from Masterji home. Love it. Masterji retired. Now his daughter teaches village children. They have a computer and access
the internet thru their phones. Huge and well ventilated home. I did not want to leave their home in Delwara. To see pics of my visit to village in Barmer district of Rajasthan Click Here
http://www.esamskriti.com/a/Rajasthan/Barmer-Textiles.aspx