[Aussie Meher]

Hi friends,

I am passionate about supporting grass-roots Indian NGOs which are empowering people through craft. I therefore love visiting these NGOs and purchasing their fair-trade products, but my experience is that they're often very hard to find!

I visited a great project called Blue Mango in north eastern Kerala, and really enjoy Cane and Bamboo, Dakshinachitra and the Anokhi store in Chennai, but will be traveling up north soon and would love to visit more similar stores / projects.

Can anyone suggest any must-visit NGOs and/or fair-trade stores in or around the following cities:
- Chennai
- Mumbai
- Ahmedabad
- Bhuj (I know there are heaps of craft villages around here, but if there are any particular spots I should visit, please tell me!)
- Udaipur
- Jaipur
- Jodhpur
- Delhi
- Agra
- Chandigarh
- hopefully Kolkata, cause I really want to see SariBari and Freeset (but not sure if we'll have time to head east)

Thanks so much all!

AM

[clivington]

Originally Posted by Aussie Meher

I am passionate about supporting grass-roots Indian NGOs which are empowering people through craft.

Well, I know that Kovalam is nowhere near where you're going, AM, but if you ever come over to south Kerala I can show you the craft workshops at SISP where, amongst other things, they recycle coconut shells and glossy magazines into ornaments and jewellery (Jewelry). They also recycle newspaper into paper carrier bags, most of which are sold in the local tourist shops.
Clive

[wonderwomanusa]

In Ahmedabad, the Self Employed Women's Association (something like that -- it's called SEWA) has a shop. You can Google for info about this.

[federica]

That's a cool thread!

in Delhi you might have a look at:

CONSERVE (there's a video on youtube about it)

TARA http://www.taraprojects.com/

[Aussie Meher]

Thanks so much guys. I will definitely check those two out. I really like the look of Conserve from their website.

Clive, sorry, I won't get to visit you this time, but all the best with the work you guys are doing.

Anyone else got any more tips?

AM

[jonnyhimalaya]

Hi Aussie

i'm also looking for some fair trade shops in Rajasthan...any luck?
thanks for any leads
cheers
jonathan

[Aishah]

Anokhi has an outlet in Jaipur - it's been relocated since the last time I visited and I'm not sure where it is now, but if you ask people I'm sure they can guide you there.

[jonnyhimalaya]

hi Aishah
thanks for the info...so is "Anokhi" the name of the organization??
cheers
jonathan

[Aishah]

Yes, it is, and also the name of their shop. It focuses mainly on house decorating, quilts etc. and clothing. They do all their own screen printing and designs.

Sambhali Trust, based in Durag Niwas, Jodhpur, also has craft items, screen printing T-shirts etc. which they sell out of the guest house.

In Jaisalmer the Khadi Bhandar shop in Hanuman Chouraha, near Hanuman Circle, has a great selection of locally made products plus some from other states - these are well priced, and benefit directly the artisans. There are woven items, plus Jaisalmer stone carving, useful bowls, candlestick holders etc. and other items (soap, toiletries).

[jonnyhimalaya]

wow, great info, Aishah. many thanks.

i am particularly looking for scarves and the rajasthani block print wall hangings that are quite popular. here is an example:

http://www.amazon.com/Rajasthan-Bloc.../dp/B001J5602W

do any of these shops stock these hangings?
thanks again, friend
jonathan

[jonnyhimalaya]

oh, and the scarves i am interested are from varanasi, uttar pradesh. can you get this style in rajasthan?
cheers
jonathan

[Aishah]

It is possible at the Khadi shop - these shops are part of a national organisation inspired by Ghandi and they are not only in Jaisalmer, most cities and large towns will have them. I have seen silk items, scarves and shawls that are not just the local weaving at this shop.


Re the block printing - yes, there is a lot of this here and also in Barmer where block printing is mostly done. Anokhi has that sort of material too made up into bedsheets, bedcovers etc. I once read a post here about a place in Barmer like an NGO, or village co-op where the printing is done and goods are sold from there. Maybe someone else will know where it is located - do a google within the Forum, you may find the post where I learned about it.

(Anokhi is more expensive than other places for this printing but the quality is superb. You will pay considerably less than 30 pounds for your bedcover here).

[jonnyhimalaya]

great, thanks so much, Aishah

i'll def. be checking out Sadhna in Udaipur. heard of it?
cheers
jonathan

[hippychick]

Originally Posted by clivington

Well, I know that Kovalam is nowhere near where you're going, AM, but if you ever come over to south Kerala I can show you the craft workshops at SISP where, amongst other things, they recycle coconut shells and glossy magazines into ornaments and jewellery (Jewelry). They also recycle newspaper into paper carrier bags, most of which are sold in the local tourist shops.
Clive

Hi Clive,tried to send you a private message but it seems you don't have that facility.Not sure whether you're the same person,(its a small world)but I think we met you 4 years ago.We were staying at the time further up the coast (20 mins from Kovalam)and we had a coffee and chat with you in one of the beach side cafes.I'm from Adelaide and my husband is english.(Mel & Paul)Your name rings a bell!!!Anyway just wanted to say hi and hope you are keeping well.Did you ever get to Thailand?Would love to hear from you....regards Mel&Paul

[Aishah]

hippychick - Clivington does have PM facility but you don't, which is why you couldn't PM him. When you have reached 10 posts then you will have it.
New rules came in last year about this - members need to have 10 posts and be here 10 days to have their PM enabled. And since you have been a member a very long time, you will need to make some more posts and then you can enable it.