User talk:Trilok SIng Meena

Kot Jewar
It is a small beutiful village with the poplation approx 1600. and its geographical location is given by World / India / Rajasthan / Bagru, 12km from center. Coordinates: 26°51'50"N 75°26'39"E.

Introduction: Blue Pottery of Jaipur is unique in the sense that it is primarily a ceramic body made of quartz, unlike any other pottery, which is made of clay. Its uniqueness also lies in the hand-painted motifs, which not only reflect the rich traditions of its present abode but also its origin in Persia. The craft came to Jaipur due to the patronage of the erstwhile rulers of the Jaipur State, but almost died out since the craft family did not share the nuances of making this pottery. Padamshri Kripal Singh, In-charge of a Kala Kendra being supported by the royal family, revived the craft by understanding, experimenting and then disseminating the skills to the unemployed youth of the nearby villages such as Kot Jewar, Mehla, Mohana, Sanganer, Jamdoli and Neota, etc. The efforts of the Kala Kendra were furthered by the training centre of Neota Development Association, an agency established by Birlas in the village Neota. Thus, a cluster of Blue Pottery artisans emerged around the Pink City over a period of time, stretching from Jamdoli in the East to Kot Jewar in the West. Kot Jewar is situated about 40 kilometres from Jaipur, nestled in the foothills of a small hillock lying to the west of the Delhi-Mumbai highway. Any semblance of a road vanishes about 2 kilometres from the highway and then reaching the village is a test for the vehicle and the resolve of the traveller. During the rainy season, the village gets completely cut-off from the main road. There are no medical facilities worth the name in the village, just a primary school and before the advent of Blue Pottery in the village, just a few households, toiling in the parched fields. RUDA (Rural Non Farm Development Agency) came into existence in 1995 and one of the important sub sectors identified was Minor Minerals Stone-Ceramic-Pottery (SCP). Within the sub sector, the famous Jaipur Blue Pottery arrested immediate attention, owing to its latent potential, unique attributes and its pitiable state. A detailed analysis of the cluster and a subsequent study commissioned to the CGCRI (Central Glass & Ceramic Research Institute, Ahmedabad), revealed that the craft was suffering from the ill-effects of out dated technology, unorganised and poorly informed artisans, limited product range and designs, inefficient kiln, presence of lead in the pottery limiting it to only decorative items and the omnipresent exploitation by the intermediaries. Technology and design were the prime areas identified to make a beginning in the cluster and use these as a means of organising the artisans. Thus in 1998, DFID, Govt. of U.K. was requested to support a project for making an energy efficient down-draught kiln with the help of a ceramics expert, Mr. David Frith of Development Alternatives. The new kiln saves firewood and gives better control over the firing temperatures. The hectic activity for the making of the kiln, the numerous associated problems faced in the process and the firing of the newly made kiln resulted in active participation by the artisans of Kot Jewar and Neota. The close interaction of the artisans with each other and RUDA’s team proved crucial in mutual faith building and later in organising the artisans. 2 Further, design workshops with the help of young designers from NID (National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad) were carried out and the participatory nature of these workshops served an important role in organising these artisans, so much so, that by the end of the first workshop itself, a Self Help Group was established. The first formal meeting of this SHG was held on 10th October 1998 and today these 19 (Nineteen) artisans meet on a regular basis and save Rs.100 per artisan per month. The new design range was further augmented by the introduction of a new product range consisting of tiles, co-ordinated sets for bathroom, table-top accessories, doorknobs, tea coasters, pen stands, Incense-stick stands, etc. apart from new shapes sizes, motifs and colours in the existing range of flower pots and decorative bowls. A continuous interaction with bulk buyers and their feedback helped in making these products in-line with the market demands. The design ranges were test marketed by facilitating the participation of the SHG in the various marketing events that RUDA organised and participated in. The newly established market linkages demanded that the artisans do not remain dependent only on serving the orders of the existing buyers, but also devote more time and resources to produce more, to fulfil the demands of the new buyers, retail sales in the exhibitions and fairs. All this required funds! However, the SHG had grown strong and was able to harness a loan of Rs. 1.00 lakh from Bank of Baroda, Bagru, with necessary support by RUDA. The profits accruing out of the increased sales and better margins, helped in a quick repayment of this loan. Presently, the SHG has availed a loan of Rs. 2.00 lakh from the bank, distributed it amongst the members and their relationship with the bank is so strong that the bank is ready to finance any amount that they require for their flourishing craft. All this is due to the disciplined and collective behaviour of these artisans. The group dynamics has emerged very strongly, as few of the artisans were dropped from the group when they did not adhere to its norms and in their place few new ones were inducted. RUDA gave an opportunity to one of these artisans to participate in World Expo- 2000, Hanover, Germany. The group decided to send one of their most talented and leading artisans, Lalaram, who is not even an office bearer of the group. The artisans also collected funds to support Lalaram’s trip to Germany. The solidarity of the group has enhanced to such an extent that Lalaram distributed the saved portions of his personal dwelling allowance in Germany to the group members. The profits from the sales in Germany were distributed, as usual, in the whole group. The artisans have made clear rules regarding the raw material procurement process, common marketing of pottery in fairs and exhibitions, execution of export & other bulk orders among the group, roles and responsibilities of each member etc. The group bears the expenses of their representative in any fair / exhibition and the profits are shared. The bulk orders are distributed as per the capacity and willingness of the member and then support is extended in the production process as well. The individual kilns of the members are used to the optimum. An R & D project through CGCRI has led to the development of a lead-free and nonporous pottery, which is up to 4 times stronger than the existing one. This new technology, developed at the cluster level, without actually changing the present production system with only slight changes in the raw materials being used, and ensuring that the new materials are easily available, has been recently disseminated in all the villages around Jaipur, practising the art of Blue Pottery. This would open the doors of the large-volume utilitarian range of tableware and crockery for Blue Pottery. The large volumes and regular-use-items would certainly augment the incomes of these artisans and create more employment opportunities. 3 RUDA proposed a project for funding technological advancements such as kiln furniture for the modern kiln and electric potter’s wheel in the cluster to ATA (Aid to Artisans, USA). ATA is providing 60% of the project cost while the rest 40% is being contributed by the SHG. This intervention will ensure continuous use of the modern kiln, increase the production capacities of the artisans, bring more precision in their product range and thus add greater value to their products. The marketing support given by RUDA and the interface between marketing events and the design development workshops has contributed immensely in developing the cluster. At the onset of interventions, the artisans were piled up with the products rejected by the bulk buyers. This rejection was as high as 40% to 50% of the total production. This was creating a blockage of the working capital of the artisans and, working as a sub contractor for the bulk buyers, was more of a compulsion than a choice. RUDA gained the confidence of the artisans by facilitating the clearance of their piled up stocks through retail sales in marketing events to a less discerning clientele. The active participation in the marketing events resulted in developing linkages with a vast variety of buyers. This further fuelled the sales and at the same time enabled the artisans to come out of the clutches of the existing set of buyers. The buying houses, exporters etc. have also become interested looking at the interventions that have been carried out since they would be able to get the order executed at one place. The rejection rate has also been reduced to about 10% to 20%, which itself finds ready market in the local fairs, exhibitions, etc. In fact, the domestic fairs have now become a very profitable sales option for these artisans owing to the direct sales and lower costs of delivery and participation in such events (group efforts and hence the economies of scale). The artisans have realised the significance of information about various business concepts such as costing, pricing, sourcing new and better market channels, importance of standardised production, brand building etc. RUDA, realising the importance of such issues on the long-term sustainability of the cluster, has collaborated with Udyogini for carrying out Entrepreneurship Development Trainings for the group. Kot Jewar has emerged as a model village in terms of micro-enterprise development. In the last three years the artisans have emerged from a state of dejection and exploitation to a self reliant, profit making strong and dynamic micro enterprise group. Their annual income has increased by almost 50%, per unit. The number of the artisans involved in this craft has increased from 40 to 95. The products are far superior now, which command a ready market at national and international level. They are now empowered to take challenges of the modern world.