1998-99:

A design workshop to provide free training facilities to the under-privileged segment, both men and women was organised at the Kali Mandir in Chittaranjan Park, New Delhi for 10 days from 31st of March to 10th of April, 1998. The workshop was sponsored by Development Commissioner, Handicrafts, Government of India, organised by NIFT, under the Ministry of Textiles and in coordination with SHRISTI. The workshop was organised to provide training for making of various products based on jute. 1999-2000 SHRISTI organised a Children’s Fair on the 25th and 26th of December, 1999, in Chittaranjan Park (K Block Ground), New Delhi. Large number of schools participated at the fair. Major corporates sponsored the various events. All the major national dailies provided promotional support ahead of the fair. The fair events included drawing competition, writing competition, dance competition, science quiz, antakshri, baby show and many other activities. Apart from above Shristi has successfully completed a number of technology status environment studies and market survey reports on various organized sectors for various Government and Private Organisations.

2000-01

Shristi was recruited by C.P.Consultants Pvt. Ltd. to conduct the Primary Survey of 600 Artisan Households and 400 Folk Artiste Households in 16 different locations in Rajasthan as well as Kerala for the study: Impact of Tourism on Socio-Economic Development in Rajasthan and Kerala : the study was designed to assess the multiple impact of tourism on the Socio-Economic life of Folk Artistes and Artisans with special focus on the following aspects:

1. Employment Generation

2. Income Generation

3. Impact on standard of living

4. Integration of backward and lower strata of society

2001-2002

SHRISTI completed three Evaluation studies sponsored by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India

1. A Review of Economic Development of Minorities in Urban India

2. A Review of Economic Development of Scheduled Castes in Urban India

3. Evaluation of Utilization of Special Central Assistance to Special Component Plan for the development of Scheduled castes in Haryana

Two of them focus on the economic development of scheduled castes and minorities. The studies critically examine the economic development in terms of employment and standard of living with reference to scheduled castes and minorities. The report is based on the analysis of various measures of employment and expenditure statistics. The major sources of data was National Sample Survey, Census of India, NCAER, Articles published in Muslim situation in India and various issues of the report of National Commission of SCs and STs. Based on the assessment, problem areas were identified and future course of action recommended. The third study is an evaluation of special central assistance to special component plan for the scheduled caste development in Haryana. The analysis is based on primary survey of the beneficiaries. The focus of the study is on implementation of the scheme, utilisation of fund and the derived benefit by the beneficiaries.

2002-2006

SHRISTI successfully conducted a 15 -day awareness campaign on environment, general health & hygiene in Bhumiheen Camp JJ Cluster-South Delhi from 28th January to 11th February 2002. The campaign sponsored by Municipal Corporation of Delhi, used handbills, posters, and public address systems to disseminate information to the people in the slum and JJ cluster. Community interactive workshops were also carried out for appraising the community regarding the various health hazards from wastes handling and selected chemicals. Over 1000 local residents participated in the week long programme. SHRISTI completed four studies and two workshops sponsored by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), New Delhi, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, namely consisting of study on raw materiel and technology assessment for eleven states. the craft involve where Terracotta, Clay, Ceramic, Metal Crafts Stone and Natural Fibres. The workshops conducted where as under;

1. An Integrated Design and Technology Development Project for Terracotta Crafts and conducted a workshop for 25 artisans from all over India. As part of the 15 day workshop, 2 sets of 100 prototypes were developed, unglazed and glazed.

2. Awareness cum Training Workshops/Seminars for artisans in terracotta and ceramics crafts under the sponsorship of Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), New Delhi, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, were conducted at New Delhi and Kolkata.

The seminars were regarding the Terracotta Manual which has been put together by Shristi to help potters understand the modern ceramic technology to upgrade their products and also cut down their expenditure with better technology input. The five day seminars covered various aspects of Raw Materials, Technology, CFC concept and financial implications of the same.

HEALTH STUDY

Shristi has completed a study on “Cost analysis of Family Planning and RCH Services including Immunization” in six states of India namely Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, Orissa and Tamil Nadu, sponsored by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. The study involved conducting primary survey of 48 Service Providers namely Government hospitals, Private hospitals and NGOS/Trusts and 960 beneficiaries.

DESIGN & TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS (May-June 2006)

Shristi received grant-in-aid from DC (H), Ministry of Textile, Govt. of India for Two Design and Technical Development Workshops for artisans in Metal & Natural Fibre crafts at CFC, Barasat, West Bengal under AHVY Scheme. The workshops were conducted for 60 artisans in May-June 2006 and each workshop developed 40 prototypes. The design of the workshops were to teach artisans about the important properties of the materials used, tools and tackles with they work so that they can utilize their resources beneficially. An overview of the raw material properties and craft based industry and appraisal of the type of machineries used was imparted to artisans.

INTEGRATED DESIGN & TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Shristi received grant-in-aid from DC (H), Ministry of Textile, Govt. of India for conducting Integrated Design & Technical Development project in Terracotta at CFC, Barasat West Bengal under AHVY Scheme. The workshop covered in a phased methodical manner various issues starting from the existing raw materials and bringing it at par with international standards. It covered aspects of design and technological factors that are important in developing the craft. Training was given in terms of raw material processing, firing, design inputs etc. and also knowledge regarding the market scenario of the terracotta products. The focus was especially on sections like raw material quality and its preparation, glazing (both at low temperature and at high temperature), technology inputs in terms of equipment, tools and furnaces/kilns. Design, which needs to be kept in mind when creating specific products, was covered during the course of the workshop and artisans were guided in analyzing the day to day problems they faced and helped in resolving these. 84 unique prototypes were developed in the workshop by the artisans with close interaction with the designer and these were test marketed at an exhibition held at Swabhoomi at Kolkata.

2006-2010

Shristi completed a Study on Cost of RCH Services in the rural areas of selected districts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The project identified the cost of key RCH services delivered by Private health service providers. The following aspects were studied:

1. Cost of key RCH Services delivered by Private Health Care Centres catering mainly to (more than 50%) Low Income Households (LIG) at the block level in the rural districts of Rajasthan and UP;

2. Interest of the Private health service providers in providing a package of basic RCH services as per government guidelines for a prescribed cost to the LIG households in return for government accreditation and to explain the benefits of a government franchise to the health service providers.

DESIGN & TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP (April-June 2007)

Shristi received grant-in-aid from DC (H), Ministry of Textile, Govt. of India for Two Design and Technical Development Workshops for artisans in Glass Enameling & Shitalpati craft at CFC, Barasat, West Bengal under AHVY Scheme. The 15 day workshops were conducted for 30 artisans each from April to June 2007 and the Glass Enameling workshop developed 15 prototypes and the Shitalpati craft workshop developed 25 prototypes.

The design of the workshops were to teach artisans about the important properties of the materials used, tools and tackles with they work so that they can utilize their resources beneficially. An overview of the raw material properties and craft based industry and appraisal of the type of machineries used was imparted to artisans. Shristi received grant-in-aid from DC (H), Ministry of Textile, Govt. of India for Three Design and Technical Development Workshops for artisans in Sholapith, Sea Shell & Shitalpati craft at Majilpur, Digha and Cooch Behar, West Bengal under DTU Scheme. The 15 day workshops were conducted for 30 artisans each from December 2009 to February 2010 in Majilpur, Digha and Cooch Behar. The Sholapith workshop developed 26 prototypes, the Sea Shell craft workshop developed 16 prototypes and the Shitalpati craft workshop developed 20 prototypes. A significant number of female artisans participated in all the above workshops and a range of aesthetically designed functional items were developed for the urban market with the help of expert designers.

Shristi received grant-in-aid from DC (H), Ministry of Textile, Govt. of India for Design and Technical Development Workshop for artisans in Cane & Bamboo craft at the Common Facility Centre, Moina, Dist. Barasat, West Bengal under AHVY Scheme. The workshop was conducted for 30 artisans for 15 days in December, 2009 and the Cane & Bamboo craft workshop developed 21 prototypes. A large number of female artisans worked along with a skilled government empanelled designer to produce aesthetic and functional utility items for the urban market. These workshops aim at increasing the skill level of the beneficiaries, their design repertoire and their technical knowledge of the craft.

INTEGRATED DESIGN & TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Shristi received grant-in-aid from DC (H), Ministry of Textile, Govt. of India for conducting Integrated Design & Technical Development Project on Terracotta Craft in Village Kunnur, West Bengal. In this project, artisan clusters were identified, 68 artisans were chosen to participate in 2 workshops of 30 and 15 days respectively. The benefits to the artisans were:

1. Development of prototypes for the export market- the product designs oriented towards production of good and exotic items for mass appeal.

2. Reduction of cost of manufacturing with use of strategic management and contemporary technology.

3. Inculcation of ability in the artisan to bring about innovations in product design by working in association with the product designer.

4. Teaching techniques of preparation of right quality of clay body from the local clays, with which they are familiar. As part of the project, 82 prototypes were developed and marketed successfully.

SEMINAR

Shristi received grant-in-aid from the Science and Society Division, Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi for conducting: Workshop on Terracotta & Ceramics for NGOs from all over India to identify lacunae in the present knowledge and practice of terracotta craft, September, 2007 A group of 20 prominent NGOs/ artisans from the various states in India participated at a 2 day workshop conducted at New Delhi on 25th and 26th September, 2007. Various professionals and experts gave valuable inputs into the practice of the craft. Continuous interactive sessions of different nature and at different levels were held to focus on policy issues/ problems, sharing experiences of different regions in the country to enable evaluation and to evolve the strategies that are required to make the craft clusters in these regions more self-reliant and for sustainable development. The workshop was held on basis of cluster specific intervention so as to achieve self-reliance and for becoming commercially viable in the long run. Apart from the above Shristi has successfully completed a number of technology status environment studies and market survey reports on various organized sectors for various Government and Private Organizations.  Shristi received grant-in-aid from the Office of the DC(HC), New Delhi for conducting: 2 day Craft based Seminar on Dhokra Metal Craft at Kolkata, February, 2010 In the 2 day Seminar, 100 metal artisans from the states of Orissa, West Bengal and Jharkhand, various implementing agencies such as DC(H), regional representatives of NABARD, Rural Development, Export Associations etc participated and shared experiences and discussed developments/ programmes in different clusters and the problems that are being faced by them in the practice of their craft.

The objective of the seminar was to interactively focus and continuously improve system efficiency through problem solving and experience sharing as a part of learning process. Continuous interactive sessions of different nature and at different levels were daily to focus on policy issues/ problems, sharing experiences of different clusters to enable evaluation and to evolve the strategies that are required to make the clusters more self-reliant and for sustainable development. The delegates were apprised of the modern technologies by experts in the field from premier institutes. They were given lectures in material preparation, proper selection and ways to remedy shortcomings in their locally available materials.

INTEGRATED DESIGN & TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Shristi completed an Integrated design and technical development project in Ceramic craft at the CFC, Moina, Barasat, WB with the grant-in-aid received from the O/o the DC(H), Govt. of India. The craft clusters in the immediate vicinity of Barasat, Guma, Duttapukur etc. were visited and 50 artisans who showed interest in working with the stoneware medium were selected for the workshop. In the workshop specific emphasis was on glazing techniques and upgradation of technologies adopted for raw material selection, preparation of clay bodies, making of kilns and firing prototypes both for bisque and glaze firings. After development of the initial prototypes, test marketing was done by holding a 2 week exhibition at the premises of Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Society, New Delhi. A final workshop was done based on the analysis of the test marketing feed back and minor modifications were made to the prototypes and the final products were developed. 70 different types of innovative, value added products were developed with the help of the designer.

SKILL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

Shristi carried out in Design & Technical Development Workshops for Rural Terracotta artisans for the Science and Society Division, Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi From 4 selected NGOs, a group of 40 artisans were selected to participate in 2 workshops for design and technical upgradation of terracotta crafts from the states of West Bengal, Karnataka, Bihar and Orissa. Artisans were invited along with the representatives of the respective NGOs to participate in month long workshops. Highly skilled resource persons from Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi, Central Glass and Ceramics Research Institute, Kolkata etc. were engaged to help the artisans understand the basics of clay characteristics, clay and glaze preparation, glaze technology etc. The artisans were exposed to different modern and advanced machineries like ball mill, filter press etc. and electric kiln and gas kiln and worked with the designer to develop innovative value added glazed products. The workshops stressed the concept of cluster development with collective and societal participation like Common Facility Centers etc. Six months after the study, an impact study was conducted and the feedback from the concerned NGOs was used to gauge the impact of the training workshops on the artisans. It was found that glazing technologies which were introduced to the terracotta artisans had been able to generate awareness and interest amongst the artisans for value-added technologies. A concerted effort by the Government and NGOs would prove helpful to overcome barriers like affordability and cost of the machineries to widespread use of modern technology.

CATALOGUE

Catalogue on Terracotta & Natural Fibre Craft Shristi with the grant-in-aid of the DC(H) implemented the multi-craft Common Facility Centre(CFC) at village Moina, Barasat, West Bengal, under AHVY scheme, where a number of clusters engaged in different crafts are present. The CFC extends required benefits to artisans engaged in various crafts such as terracotta, cane and bamboo, glass and natural fibres. Training is given on a regular basis to the artisans from the clusters and the craftsmen are apprised of the latest technologies in the relevant crafts and new designs are introduced to them resulting to innovative products. The catalogue attempts to show case a few of such products that are being produced by the artisans at the Common Facility Centre at village Moina, Dist. Barasat, West Bengal.

AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

Shristi organized an Awareness Campaign on 22nd February, 2009 at Chittaranjan Park, New Delhi on the use of Solar Energy under the theme climate change as a part of the National Environment Awareness Campaign 2008-09 by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India. The sole aim of the Campaign was to apprise the people of different strata for the usefulness of the solar energy. The Program focused on the use of solar energy based instruments to check the level of pollution in the atmosphere as well as to conserve energy consumed currently by the use of electricity. The awareness and action activities included workshop, exhibition, literature distribution, live demonstration and training to the participants. Dr. A. Mukherjee delivered the opening lecture explaining the global concerns of environment pollution by the use of conventional fuel and advocated the use of solar energy based instruments. Ms. Chitra Mukherjee, Secretary, Shristi conducted the Program. Mr. D.K Varshnei, Director, Saur Oorja Solutions Private Limited, manufacturer of various types of solar energy based instruments delivered the key lecture illustrating the features and workings of the instruments on display. It was well attended by a wide cross section of people from various walks of society. The participants were highly appreciative of the workshop. Many were unaware of the benefits and uses of solar energy products and how they can be used to check the pollution level in the environment. They actively participated in the discussions with the technical personnel who had been invited by Shristi to deliver lectures on solar energy instruments.

MARKET ASSESSMENT STUDY

Shristi received grant-in-aid for conducting market assessment and product study tour of 20 cluster artisans and 2 officials of organi zation to Nagarnar and Kondagaon, Bastar, Chhattisgarh from DC(H), Govt. of India in Terracotta craft. The aim of the study was to understand the market trends in terms of design, product utility etc. in order to ensure enhance market penetration and achieve higher economic gains for the artisan. Towards this end, artisans visited the successful clusters of Nagarnar and Kondagaon of Bastar district, Chhattisgarh to study, understand and adopt the methodology being followed in these clusters. • Shristi received grant-in-aid for conducting market assessment and product study tour of 20 cluster artisans and 1 official of organi zation to Kondagaon, Jagdalpur and Pharasgaon, Bastar, Chhattisgarh from DC(H), Govt. of India in Metal craft. The study was undertaken to visit successful clusters of metal artisans in Kondagaon, Jagdalpur and Pharasgaon of Bastar district, Chhattisgarh with the following objectives of studying the market trends in terms of design, product utility etc. in order to ensure enhance market penetration and achieve higher economic gains for the artisan. The overall objective was to study and adopt the methodology of the successful clusters.

GALLERY

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