More on CHARAKA
In 2018, Charaka produced around 35,000 metres of handloom fabric per month, using only natural dyes and converted most of this into clothing for men and women, sold through their shops in Bangalore and small towns in Karnataka under the brand name Desi (Developing Ecologically Sustaining Industry), which also means ‘indigenous’. Apart from clothing for their 11 stores, they are now whole selling their fabrics to boutiques around the country.
The trustees of Desi and Charaka are well-known theatre and literary personalities who have used their goodwill to get free press coverage for their activities, and this has helped them expand their market. Seeing the transformation in the women associated with Charaka, customers are happy to support the endeavour by buying and wearing Desi products. Their inspirational story, the quality of its products and reasonable price points have all made Charaka fabrics and clothing desirable. The Charaka experiment, which has been inspired by Gandhiji’s concept of developing the rural economy, is a great example of ‘local produce, local use’.
The women working at Charaka seemed a cheerful lot, and they talked about the pleasure of working in a stress-free environment where they felt a sense of belonging and respect. They come in by 9.30am and work till 5pm. A simple, hot lunch is served to all, which in itself is special for the women as they have been serving others all their lives. They come from humble backgrounds, and apart from working as labourers at the areca farms, they were expected to do all the household work, cook for the family, clean the house and look after the children and the elderly. They have no previous experience of others doing something for them.
Each woman I spoke with shared her amazing story of transformation. They mentioned how earning a regular income had gained the respect within their homes as well as in the community, and helped them develop a sense of self-worth and confidence. With women being the decision makers at Charaka, they understand the needs and concerns of the women who work there, and try to offer solutions such as organising childcare centres for young babies, and maternity leave. What is most interesting is that there is no hierarchy within the organisation, and Gowramma, the President of Charaka, is one among them and continues to work along with them. The women have developed a strong bond with the organisation and have become a source of support for one another.
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These village women from impoverished backgrounds have become confident self-assured women, and most dress in handloom sarees or salwar kurtas that they themselves produce at Charaka as they can now afford to buy what they make. They take great pride in their enterprise, which has given them financial well-being, dignity and respect, and the opportunity to form strong bonds of friendship with their co-workers.
