SOCIAL MOBILISATION IN JAIPUR RUGS FOUNDATION Essay Example

training to support employee development. Various welfare activities like education, sanitation, and providing technical inputs, training, materials, and market linkages are carried out to facilitate direct access to markets. The foundation takes a comprehensive approach by identifying rural areas through meetings conducted by mobilizers to gain an understanding of the location.The text highlights the activities undertaken to support rug weaving in the country. Research is conducted to understand the support activities and identify families willing to participate. Self-aid groups are organized, and meetings and surveys are carried out to assess the skills and potential of members. Training is provided to enhance rug weaving skills and improve productivity. The company also offers support in healthcare, education, sanitation, leadership, and entrepreneurship training. Additionally, market linkages are established through Jaipur Rugs Inc., ensuring competitive prices for their products. Social mobilization is an essential part of the process, with a designated mobilizer conducting meetings to motivate and engage villagers. The formation of Self-Help Groups (SHG) is a key aspect of empowering and sustaining rural communities. Motivational seminars and follow-up sessions are held to foster interaction and peaceful living during the training period.It also instills enthusiasm and introduces people to the art, helping weavers to collaborate and increase awareness of their roles. Motivational seminars cover various topics such as income generation, daily income, existing issues, introduction to Self-Help Groups (SHG), benefits of SHG, benefits of rug weaving, awareness about health and education for members. During the mobilization stage, craftsmen are organized into rug venture groups that save money together and engage in inter-lending. They also meet monthly to discuss progress and future plans, fostering a sense of belonging and unity.

Eventually, these groups can be registered as manufacturing companies. After mobilization, capacity building focuses on enhancing the skills of individuals in carpet weaving and technological advancements. Training programs are conducted to improve design development, production, and productivity in order to increase profits. Following capacity building, the emphasis is on providing adequate infrastructure for training craftsmen, as well as managing various processes.The country lacks proper storage, aggregation, and distribution methods for green goods. This means that not all products can be stored and checked at their origin. Additionally, the craftsmen bear the transportation costs, and the products reach companies without undergoing quality checks. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a common facility called a Cluster Facility Center (CFC) in the cluster area. This CFC will include a production aggregation and distribution center, cluster office, training center, library, and primary quality checking office. Various services can be provided from this center as needed.

Craftsmen are not attentive to the desired market quality, and there is no appropriate quality checking and control system in place. Craftsmen also lack interest in self-checking and are unaware of the benefits of quality management. The jobbers who gather and deliver the products in the chain are not responsible for monitoring quality. If there are any losses due to poor quality, it will be deducted from the craftsman's pay.

To eliminate the concept of middlemen or contractors known as 'Thekedaar', a cluster activity is introduced where each craftsman is the owner of their cluster work. A team of supervisors is then formed through enterprise management training to ensure systematic quality control and supervision.The merchandises are guaranteed to be of higher quality, and they are exported

with the help of market linkages provided by Jaipur Rugs Company. As the income decreases due to continued occupation work, the artists begin to understand the concept of supply chain and the company's structure. The company is formed as an endeavor group with elected members, and all members contribute to the company. JRF is responsible for capacity building of the governing body, and the registration process will be completed during the course. Initially, JRF manages the group, but management gradually transitions to professionals chosen by craftsmen or artisans themselves. The case studies provide success stories of individuals who were motivated and mobilized. One example is Ganh Kamei, a 23-year-old woman from Nagaland who took on family responsibilities as the eldest daughter. She desired to work for the betterment of society and initially became a teacher through sarva shiksha abhiyan. However, she later got involved with Jaipur Rugs Foundation through a social mobilization program.She joined the administration and was fully dedicated to her work, so her passion was recognized by the Jaipur Carpets Foundation, and she was chosen for the Design and Development program. This training gave her a comprehensive understanding of the rug weaving industry. Afterwards, she was appointed as a subdivision director. Currently, she manages the stock list, production aspects, and is also involved in the mobilization process. Her focus is on providing innovative designs and colors. She is determined to become a successful businesswoman. Her efforts are now gaining popularity due to their inherent beauty.

Case 2: Kesri Devi, blind from birth, had to face numerous difficulties and challenges in life due to her physical disability as well as being from a scheduled caste.

Her family consists of eight children, six daughters and two sons. The children discontinued formal education and remained idle. Later, they learned hand knotting techniques for weaving rugs and began working in contractors' looms. The working conditions were harsh, and their income was only 1400-1600 rupees per month.

When JRF began its work in that area, its team and resource members conducted seminars, motivation sessions, and follow-up meetings. The girls Asha and Sita came into contact with them and became members of the Self-Help Group (SHG). Through regular meetings with the group, their awareness regarding health, education, and support issues increased. They also attended rug training programs.The text describes the improvements experienced by Kesri Devi and Khairatilal, residents of Piplai village in Rajasthan, thanks to the assistance of societal workers and Jaipur Rugs. Kesri Devi's accomplishments developed well, resulting in an increase in her monthly income to 2500 rupees. With this money, she constructed a shed for her rug looms and also sent her sons to school. Additionally, she received help from societal workers to obtain a free coach base.

Khairatilal, on the other hand, used to work as a single weaver selling his products to greedy traders in his village. He lacked the expertise to explore new weaving techniques. In Piplai village, farming was the main profession among the residents, with wheat, corn, and barley being the predominant crops grown from January to March. However, for the remaining nine months of the year, they had no productive occupation. Farming profits were also uncertain due to monsoon risks.

A few years ago, representatives from Jaipur Rugs visited Khairatilal's village, leading to some villagers starting to work with

them. Gradually, a pilot project initiated by Jaipur Rugs gained popularity in the village. Motivational seminars and follow-up sessions were conducted to mobilize the villagers. Self-help groups were formed, comprising both men and women without any age or caste limitations. The villagers had the freedom to decide on their group members.He earns around Rs.150 per day for his regular work of approximately 8 hours. The cost of second-hand machines needed for weaving rugs is in the range of Rs.5000-6000. He had the money to buy this machine, so he purchased it from the company. Those who cannot afford to buy these machines can work on the company-owned machines. Those who wish to purchase machines through loans have the option to do so as the company facilitates their credit needs with the help of SHG Credit Linkage through Banks. The Banks charge a 12% interest rate on these loans, and the loan amount is within the range of Rs.5000-6000. If the weavers use their own machines, their payment per square feet will be higher than if they use the company's machines. Since he had previous experience in weaving rugs alone, he only had to undergo training for 26 days. During this period, he was paid Rs.50 per day.

PROGRAMMES CONDUCTED BY JRF TO MOBILIZE PEOPLE: PROGRAMME TO ERADICATE CHILD LABOUR Jaipur Rugs Foundation also makes efforts to eliminate child labor in the rug industry. They encourage weavers to provide proper care, nutrition, and education for their children. To achieve this, they undertake initiatives such as creating awareness among consumers to buy products that are not made by children and providing educational opportunities for child workers.Motivating children to

prioritize education is important for their development. Additionally, it is vital to provide sustainable support to weavers, so they do not have to rely on child labor. When conducting motivational seminars and mobilizing people, contagious disease theory can be applied, as it explains how people, when influenced by a group, can undergo temporary transformations. Convergence theory, which focuses on individuals with similar interests coming together, is also relevant in cases where people are self-motivated to learn a trade and support themselves financially. In these scenarios, leadership plays a crucial role, from mobilizing individuals and forming self-help groups to training and marketing their products. Leaders should instill confidence in people and promote cooperative behavior. Developing leaders is an essential part of this organization's process as it aims to foster entrepreneurial skills among rural weavers, bridging the gap between clients and artisans and providing opportunities for them to establish themselves and contribute to the industry. This enables weavers to better understand their clients' needs while allowing clients to appreciate the emotions and sentiments behind the weavers' work. The ultimate goal is to empower rural weavers as self-employed individuals who are self-sufficient and can find fulfillment in their work while contributing to society.Education: Jaipur Rugs Foundation not only organizes campaigns to raise awareness about education among rural weavers, but also conducts motivational seminars to inspire both the weavers and their children to participate in a program called pravesh utsav. This program, conducted by the government, aims to enroll all eligible children in schools and takes place in July. Jaipur Rugs Foundation also designs various skill development programs for the weavers. One of these programs focuses on providing carpet-weaving

skills and technological upgrades, as well as training in design development and loom operations. Another program offers training to individuals who are not skilled in rug weaving, while another aims to enhance the managerial skills of the weavers through specific tools and techniques. These training programs help increase production and income based on quality. Additionally, as rug weaving is a home-based business, it provides opportunities for women empowerment in political, social, and economic aspects.Since adult females in the country face many limitations and are not allowed to travel, rug weaving provides them with a way to generate income without leaving their homes or neglecting their domestic responsibilities. The Jaipur Rugs Foundation (JRF) works to empower women through reflective action, reducing their economic dependence and increasing their value in society through self-employment. This also leads to increased social and political decision making. While working on various projects in small towns across India, JRF collaborated with women artisans who showed enthusiasm and practicality in learning rug weaving to improve their social status and income. In contrast, men were less interested in understanding their family's needs. Through these efforts, JRF was able to address the injustices faced by women. The Thanagazi Carpet Cluster Development Project, in partnership with the Department of Industries (Government of Rajasthan), aims to provide improved support opportunities for rural women artisans, ensuring a better present and future. Thanagazi is an emerging hub for the rug weaving industry, supporting thousands of weavers.The aim of this initiative is to enhance the income-generating capabilities of the weavers and transform them into productive members of society. One option for achieving this involves forming groups, which consists of several

steps. The process begins with creating awareness among the craftsmen through motivational and follow-up seminars. The purpose of these seminars is to inspire and encourage people to increase their involvement in the art of rug weaving. Following this, a study is conducted to identify potential women entrepreneurs and leaders. The role of a leader is crucial in keeping the participants motivated and increasing their participation in the program. Various artisan groups are then formed, such as Self-Help Groups (SHG) and Cluster Interest Groups (CIG), which play an important role in activities related to registration and initiation. These groups are also connected to banks for financial security. Additionally, several other community development activities are carried out to gain the trust and confidence of the people, aiming to increase their participation. Monthly meetings, savings schemes, and inter-loan programs are also implemented. Skill and design training programs are initiated to enhance the workers' capabilities for quality improvement. Sample orders are placed to assess the appearance and quality, followed by implementing various steps to ensure and improve quality standards.The text describes the process of promoting rug weaving as a sustainable livelihood option and increasing the incomes of craftsmen. This is achieved through various steps including the formation of manufacturing establishments, the creation of a common installation centre, technology and skill upgrading, improved productivity, commercial orders through market linkages, quality checks and improvements, rug marketing for better prices, and finally transferring business ownership to the manufacturing establishments. This program, known as Ambedkar Haatship Vikas Yojana, aims to alleviate craftsmen from low incomes and support their development.The purpose was to provide consistent employment and training programs and to uplift BPL/SC/ST adult

females and other underprivileged households out of poverty. Additionally, it establishes a self-sufficient, independent production and sales structure. To implement this, various steps are taken: the project team is selected and hired, with their main responsibilities being mobilizing the local population, identifying potential beneficiaries, training them, and selecting suitable areas for project implementation. The team receives specific training and guidance to develop systematically and improve their efficiency, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the overall project and its activities. A rapid assessment of the village is conducted to increase community involvement and boost their confidence. This involves activities such as community building exercises, participatory rural appraisal (PRA), generating interest, and engaging with villagers. Meetings are held with potential artisans to motivate them and increase their participation in the project, which also enhances communication and interaction with the villagers. Finally, a follow-up meeting is organized to integrate the artisans into the rug weaving activity.In addition, Jaipur Rugs Foundation ensures that highly motivated and passionate craftsmen are associated with their work. They form various teams for skill training and guidance. Additionally, they actively recruit individuals to increase villagers' participation in the rug weaving program through motivational seminars and follow-up sessions. This is achieved through meetings and regular interactions to ensure that those who are willing and motivated are not excluded. They have designated mobilizers for this purpose. The project progress is regularly shared with village representatives, who visit the center to motivate and increase their involvement in the activities. After the mobilization phase, other stages such as capacity building, training, quality checking, and market linkages are implemented. Through their programs, Jaipur Rugs Foundation also provides sustainable and continuous

income opportunities for women.Through meetings and follow-up meetings, the organization is assisting in the development of accomplishment and employment generation activities. Similar to the mobilization stage in ideological institutions, the focus is on mass appeal and addressing issues of need and collective engagement. The organization aims to increase employee participation by emphasizing mass appeal and focusing on issues of need and collective engagement. In the institutionalization stage, the ideological movement is translated into specific programs, with a major emphasis on program implementation. In this organization, mobilized individuals are trained and further educated to produce effective output. Additionally, corporate entrepreneurship is promoted to provide opportunities and incentives for individuals to share various technical and market information. Ultimately, mobilization is helping the organization bring more people into the trade of learning rug weaving and increasing their participation in achieving the organization's objectives.