The Hindu Business Line : Taking the world to artisan's workshop

From now, they will be able to electronically view product designs for their export orders, thanks to a computer link, Web camera and handheld device that will bring the prototype design directly into their humble workshops.

And so will artisan communities in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar and Delhi if the efforts of a young organisation, Community Friendly Movement (CFM), take root. Founded by former students of Institute of Rural Management Anand, with designers from National Institute of Fashion Technology and National Institute of Design, the pilot project to tap ICT to customise export orders for around 900 rural artisans will start next month.

Traditionally, approved export designs are showcased to rural artisans manually, with representatives having to physically visit the community to place the orders.

CFM's initiative seeks to change all that by electronically communicating design details to artisans, thereby substantially lowering costs and simplifying logistics.

"Unlike the traditional methods of sending our employees to the villages or relying on courier services to showcase samples, we would now be able to directly show the precise product that has been ordered and instantly, artisans could be put to work on bulk orders. With this, we would be able to take control of our production to almost 90 per cent from the current 60 per cent," said Mr Rahul Barkatani, Founder, CFM.

Initially, the pilot project will involve two communities out of the 15 that CFM plans to work with.

"The sector is highly unorganised. Besides, maintaining inventory is also a challenge as handicrafts have minor product differences. Hence, we are also in the process of developing a software for detailed inventory," said Mr Barkatani.

More Stories on : Arts & Crafts | Rural Development | Information Technology

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Brazilian President arrives

NetApp's storage tools help Infosys win `Innovator of the Year' award

Receding inflation softens bond yields

Mitsui, Exmar in race for Petronet LNG deal

`Price may not be trump card for domestic drug cos for long'

`Building small ships is big opportunity for India'

Fall in EU sugar output likely; Ministry flags scope for exports

Dollar to decide gold price direction

Cotton output may rise by 5% in 2007-08 season

Duty cuts on edible oils not benefiting consumers

Bull market sees spot of uncertainty

Taking the world to artisan's workshop

Wal-Mart-Bharti yet to set time-frame for India entry