I'd like to share all the crazy patterns and colors we came across during our trip, not only in India but Myanmar as well. I'll upload more tomorrow! Enjoy!
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Monday, September 30, 2013
A day at the slum
I have been strolling down memory lane and came across my old blog. I found some good shares for our new followers of ICHCHA. This is the first one, I thought I'd share - my day at a slum in New Delhi, India.
Dated: April 2011:
Our day at a slum in New Delhi was very interesting but also very uncomfortable! The majority of the people who lived there are garbage collectors. As soon as we walked into this area, we saw that the people were living side by side with the the garbage, tied in 10 feet+ large white bags! There were uncountable flies everywhere - a very disease prone area! Most of the houses that we saw were concrete, not tents as I had expected. This confirmed that this slum was one of the better slums of India, but a slum nevertheless. I managed to take a few pictures on my iphone:
Avoiding the stares and unnecessary comments of the people, we made our way to this NGO called 'Jan Sandesh' led by Shanti Paswan and Malathi. Jan Sandesh means Message to the People. This is a very small organization that started in 2000 but only started picking up a few years ago. However, even now they make very little things as they don't get a lot of orders. Shanti and Malathi, the two ladies who we met, are working at Jan Sandesh on a volunteer basis, in other words, without any salary. They have employed 30 women from the slum who are willing to work on handicrafts. Shanti told us of various issues when it came to employing the women of these slums. She said that many of these women who are collecting garbage, do not want to do these handicrafts because it is harder and they can make more money collecting garbage in a month than they can by making handicrafts. It's sad and unfortunate, but most of these people want to do nothing but get lot of money. Some other issues that Shanti told us are that some of these women leave after sometime because they get married and go away, or they have no interest in making these handicrafts, or they are simply lazy. I was surprised because I had ignorantly thought that any slum or poor person would happily want to take up "good" work - one that brought them "up". But surprisingly, that is not the case. Shanti and Malathi have to work very hard with these women to convince them to work with the organization!
This organization started by re-using newspaper to make bags. Now they also make textile handicrafts and textile jewelery. It is definitely commendable to see these two women give their time and energy in a slum, which is know to get dangerous as the sun sets - just to make a difference! Below are some of the products they make :
Made from recycled fabric. It's filled with cut up used plastic bags, that would have normally ended up in a landfill.
An IMPORTANT UPDATE about the post above - June 10 2011 (2 months later):I've observed that by searching "Jann Sandesh" or "Shanti Paswan" or "seema puri", a few people have come to this blog. I wanted to share with you my experiences with Jann Sandesh.
In April, after hearing about Jann Sandesh from Shanti Paswan and Malathi, I was very pleased and decided to work with this organization. We(Ichcha) gave them a few designs to work on. However, things didn't end as they started. In fact, they ended soon after we handed them our designs. We were open, but they didn't care to discuss any options. If Jann Sandesh is really what an NGO is supposed to be all about, they should have followed through what they started.
So for those of you who are thinking of working them, please be aware. Sadly, their intentions may not be as social as they seem to portray, after all.
Dated: April 2011:
Our day at a slum in New Delhi was very interesting but also very uncomfortable! The majority of the people who lived there are garbage collectors. As soon as we walked into this area, we saw that the people were living side by side with the the garbage, tied in 10 feet+ large white bags! There were uncountable flies everywhere - a very disease prone area! Most of the houses that we saw were concrete, not tents as I had expected. This confirmed that this slum was one of the better slums of India, but a slum nevertheless. I managed to take a few pictures on my iphone:
Avoiding the stares and unnecessary comments of the people, we made our way to this NGO called 'Jan Sandesh' led by Shanti Paswan and Malathi. Jan Sandesh means Message to the People. This is a very small organization that started in 2000 but only started picking up a few years ago. However, even now they make very little things as they don't get a lot of orders. Shanti and Malathi, the two ladies who we met, are working at Jan Sandesh on a volunteer basis, in other words, without any salary. They have employed 30 women from the slum who are willing to work on handicrafts. Shanti told us of various issues when it came to employing the women of these slums. She said that many of these women who are collecting garbage, do not want to do these handicrafts because it is harder and they can make more money collecting garbage in a month than they can by making handicrafts. It's sad and unfortunate, but most of these people want to do nothing but get lot of money. Some other issues that Shanti told us are that some of these women leave after sometime because they get married and go away, or they have no interest in making these handicrafts, or they are simply lazy. I was surprised because I had ignorantly thought that any slum or poor person would happily want to take up "good" work - one that brought them "up". But surprisingly, that is not the case. Shanti and Malathi have to work very hard with these women to convince them to work with the organization!
This organization started by re-using newspaper to make bags. Now they also make textile handicrafts and textile jewelery. It is definitely commendable to see these two women give their time and energy in a slum, which is know to get dangerous as the sun sets - just to make a difference! Below are some of the products they make :
Made from recycled fabric. It's filled with cut up used plastic bags, that would have normally ended up in a landfill.
An IMPORTANT UPDATE about the post above - June 10 2011 (2 months later):I've observed that by searching "Jann Sandesh" or "Shanti Paswan" or "seema puri", a few people have come to this blog. I wanted to share with you my experiences with Jann Sandesh.
In April, after hearing about Jann Sandesh from Shanti Paswan and Malathi, I was very pleased and decided to work with this organization. We(Ichcha) gave them a few designs to work on. However, things didn't end as they started. In fact, they ended soon after we handed them our designs. We were open, but they didn't care to discuss any options. If Jann Sandesh is really what an NGO is supposed to be all about, they should have followed through what they started.
So for those of you who are thinking of working them, please be aware. Sadly, their intentions may not be as social as they seem to portray, after all.
Monday, May 6, 2013
2013 - Travels Through the Streets of India Part 1
Travel through the streets of India, face the reality of the world, and soak up the treasures of an ancient country. Each year our trip starts off with anxious nerves and excitement of new cities as well as old friends. Soon, without knowing it, the time is up and we're packing up our goodies for our way back home. And now we unveil all we saw to you, our friends. ENJOY!
The beginning...
Working on the next round of inspiration! Will share them shortly.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The Green Knit by Vedika Aggarwal
Green Knit, created by Vedika Aggarwal of Gaziabad India, features hand made products utilizing waste material. Vedika works with waste production material to embellish home furnishing and accessory products. She has come a long way from her days in London as a Master student knitting for days to make products for her MA exhibition. Vedika now works with a creative team of women whom she has trained to knit and create products for sale in the current market. Visit her Facebook page to see her products. She sells at craft fairs all throughout India and online at ItsHandmade. Have fun shopping!
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| Always necessary - Tea |
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| Vedika Aggarwal |
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Indian Handpainted Banners
An interesting watch :
http://www.handpaintedtype.com/http://www.handpaintedtype.com/
about the disappearing Hand painting artists in India. This is basically the problem everywhere. The old techniques that took time and talent are disappearing, being replaced by fast machinery. But, there are a few that realize the urgency to preserve and promote. Hopefully this awakening continues.
http://www.handpaintedtype.com/http://www.handpaintedtype.com/
about the disappearing Hand painting artists in India. This is basically the problem everywhere. The old techniques that took time and talent are disappearing, being replaced by fast machinery. But, there are a few that realize the urgency to preserve and promote. Hopefully this awakening continues.
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