Report on Two days exhibition Swawalamban Mela
Prepared By – Centre for Outreach and Strategic Alliances, TPCT, New Mumbai in Association with Grameen Pragati Foundation, Mumbai
Organised By Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
Small Industries Development Bank of India- SIDBI, Swawalamban Mela
28th & 29th November 2019
Swawalamban Mela was organised by SIDBI at Bandra Kurla Complex SIDBI premises. These participants were mainly from Self Help groups supported by Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal, Grameen Pragati Foundation, Centre for Outreach and Strategic Alliances, Self-sponsored artisans etc. Objective of the exhibition was to provide platform to local artisans and to connect them with variety of customer base.
About SIDBI
Small industrial Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is a development financial institution in India, headquartered at Lucknow and having its offices all over the country. Its purpose is to provide refinance facilities and short-term lending to industries and serves as the principal financial institution in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. SIDBI also coordinates the functions of institutions engaged in similar activities. It was established on April 2, 1990, through an Act of Parliament. It is headquartered in Lucknow. SIDBI operates under the Department of Financial Services, Government of India. SIDBI is one of the four All India Financial Institutions regulated and supervised by the Reserve Bank; other three are EXIM Bank, NABARD and NHB. They play a salutary role in the financial markets through credit extension and refinancing operation activities and cater to the long-term financing needs of the industrial sector.
About COSA
Centre for Strategic and Outreach Alliances (COSA is the development research, training and consultancy platform of Terna Public Charitable Trust), in collaboration with the proposed Terna Global University (TGU), has initiated an innovative Livelihood Project entitled, "Opportunities for Youth Engagement (OYE)" which is being implemented nationwide. Currently, it is being run as Hunar Project in Bahadurpura region of Hyderabad, in Tuthukudi and Villupuram regions of Telengana for women empowerment by engaging them in entrepreneurial activities; in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra; and in Thoothukodi and Villupuram of Tamil Nadu.
The Event
Total 10 stalls were arranged in the premises. Following products were displayed in the event.
Madhubani Painting (Saree, Cloth pieces, wall painting etc.)-
Madhubani, or Mithila, painting is a folk painting of northern India. It is mostly practiced by women in the villages who have passed this art to their daughters through multiple generations. They paint pictures of nature and mythology to depict different events like birth, marriage, and cycles of life. Though this folk art has been practiced for centuries it started to gain national recognition only in the last few decades. Now, art patrons can find Madhubani artists in several cities of northern India, many of whom are experimenting and adapting the traditional styles to modern ethos and medium.
There were two stalls by SHG women from Bihar and Maharashtra. Price range of the Madhubani art was from Rs. 200 to Rs. 15000. These stalls were not accepting the cashless payment mode.
Clay and Terracotta crafts-
This is amongst the oldest and most widespread form of handicrafts. The raw material for this craft is ordinary clay, derived from the beds of water bodies like river, lakes and ponds. The clay is cleaned, mixed and ten shaped either by hand, wheel or moulded into desired object. The items are dried, fired and glazed as per the requirements. The clay or terracotta products are graded according to their color, strength and water absorption capacity. This stall was displaying kitchenware for domestic purpose. It was displayed along with other products of SHG.
Bamboo crafts by Tribal artists-
Bamboo art from Chandrapur and Palghar were displayed where SHG from Chandrapur was supported by "Bamboo Research and Training Centre", which is an autonomous organisation formed by Maharashtra Forest Department established on 04.12.2014 as trust under societies registration act 1980. Where artist from Palghar Mr. Pandurang Bhurkud (Age 34) was supported by Centre for Outreach and Strategic Alliances (COSA). Prices of Bamboo craft ranges from Rs. 100 to Rs. 1500.
Homemade food Products-
Grameen Pragati Foundation in Collaboration with COSA connected three entrepreneurs from Shrivardhan, District Raigad. These products were Neer Jackfruit Papad, Banana Papad, Red Pumpkin Papad, Raagi, Rice, Poha Papad, ready to serve snacks, Kokum Juice etc.
Leather products-
Entrepreneur from Dharavi slum area of Mumbai was another participant who was organised by COSA. He was selling office bag, laptop bag, lunch bags and other leather items. These products were sold under the brand name called “Bag Adda”. Mr. Ramakant Gupta from Dharavi is a social worker who mobilizes these artists.
Jute Products-
One stall was displayed selling jute products as office bags, lunch box bags, office folders, table covers etc. This stall was representing organisation called SUADHA based in Kolkata. These jute products were made by SHG’s affiliated to the NGO.
One stall was displayed selling jute products as office bags, lunch box bags, office folders, table covers etc. This stall was representing organisation called SUADHA based in Kolkata. These jute products were made by SHG’s affiliated to the NGO.
Observations-
1. Most of the artists were from small places and which are not connected to wider markets.
2. Exhibition was largely focused on indigenous and traditional arts of people, however some innovative products like decorative items from waste material were displayed in the event.
3. Since the location of exhibition was in office area of Bandra Kurla Complex most of the customers were office members and hence peak hour of customer visit was lunch time.
4. Food products were in high demand since most of them were ready to serve and comparative price was lower.
5. Only two stalls were accepting cashless transaction.
6. Stalls sponsored by NGO, Government agencies were well organised in terms of marketing and sales strategy.
7. Women SHG’s are largely linked with traditional art such as Madhbani, Bamboo craft etc.
8. Product ranging from Rs. 30 to Rs 200 had larger demand.
9. Most of the customers were expecting cashless billing facility.
10. Artists with prior experience of participating in similar exhibitions were more confident and had developed their own sales and marketing strategies.
