Ailing traditional Indian artisans, Lock down and Uthhan

Lock down and COVID are the two undisputed calamities which has jolted the entire
world. Indian economy was already derailed with array of complicated financial
modifications in the earlier years. This pandemic has impelled the economy further to
the brink because of  lock down. The major share of our economy comprises of cash
and traditional segment. 

Indian artisans are the third largest community in India. But now they are tormented not
only because of lock down but also because of middlemen. Handicraft industry has
shown a substantial boom in last 5 years but the benefits are diverted to the exhibitors
rather than makers. The perks announced by Government never reached these crap
static artisan families. Majority of the artisan families took up labour job and the old
generation never passed their skill to the new generation. Even though handmade
article has an enormous demand compared to machine made items, the benefits are
reaped by MNC's , middlemen and marketing agencies. Some of the artisan families still
believe that their skill will pull them out of misery. But their strength is destroyed after
the implementation of lock down. Their products are reposed in the pavement with out
customers.

Lockdown added on to their misery and poverty. Even the artisans, who were labours 
are affected. Many of the artisan families are shoved in to poverty and hunger. There
are handicraft bodies instituted by Government to empower them . But most of the
bodies fail to deliver results to the artisans due to the shadow of middlemen and dearth
of proper marketing plans.

During this challenging times the initiative called  UTHHAN - Empowering artisan is

feeding almost 10000+ artisan families across India. Uthhan is the first initiative in India
where profit from artifact sales goes directly to artisans with out any middlemen.
Artisans can register free of cost through website or android application and upload their
products at their prices. The orders from customers will be notified to the artisans and
the amount from customer will go directly to their accounts through the platform. With
the help of DC handicrafts in India, UTHHAN is trying to append  50000+ artisan
families by the end of this year to the initiative.

UTHHAN team edify artisans by giving training  on new technological changes and

creative designs apart from sales. Artisans are creating their crafts at home and selling
it online during this lock down. They are earning a substantial income through the
platform.  The platform is displaying products directly from artisans of Kerala,
Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Odisha, UP, Bihar , Jharkhand and West Bengal at a rational
price.

 The artisans uphold the Indian culture through their crafts and hence to be saved from
deterioration. Madhubani painting, Pattachitra kala, Mural paintings, Idol making,
Aranmula mirror, Chickankari art etc are the glimpses of Indian heritage. If new
generation of artisans wont pursue their tradition and craft, we will loose our invaluable
culture. An artisan product is a necessity in our day to day life , but Indian artisans are
still cadging for food in exchange of their products.