Project Proposal of an NGO

Professional Ethics

Submitted to
Mr. Angam Niumai

Submitted by:
Adya Manishi
Manriewshai Marwein
Nivedita VB
Surbhi Bhardwaj

National Institute of Fashion Technology, Shillong

MFM- Semester 2
Acknowledgement
First of all, our group, Adya Manishi, Manriewshai Marwein, Niveditha VB and Surbhi Bhardwaj,
would like to express our gratitude to the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Shillong for
providing an opportunity for us to learn and improve ourselves, and to our Professor, Mr. Angam
Niumai for his guidance to help us understand the importance of Professional Ethics.
We would also like to thank our friends who have helped us with their valuable suggestions and
discussions which have been very helpful in various stages of the completion of the assignment.

Contents
1. About Changing Lives..............................................................................................................1
2. Our Project............................................................................................................................ 1
Mission..................................................................................................................................... 2
Vision........................................................................................................................................ 2
3. Goal...................................................................................................................................... 3
4. Activities................................................................................................................................ 4
5. Budget................................................................................................................................... 6
6. Justification............................................................................................................................ 7
About Changing Lives

We are a story; we work towards the betterment of the future of our country’s people. We
help people and communities build their culture and tradition in order to make their lives
better. We value history and try our level best to preserve indigenous crafts, enriching
diversity, and sustain indigenous knowledge in the craft sector.

We provide training programs in craft, entrepreneurship training, and also a market platform
for visibility to the public, promotions, and consultations.

1. Our Project
Khneng embroidery is the indigenous embroidery practiced in a small village of Mustoh and
the Shella region in the state of Meghalaya. The craft has been practiced for over 200 years
as a manifestation of local cultural identity, and now it has become an endangered craft as
only 18 artisans present to date are practicing the craft.

The embroidery is traditionally done on Eri

silk fabric as a form of embellishment on the
red and yellow checkered shawl border. The
Khneng embroidery pattern was inspired by
a centipede known as “Ktiar'' in the Khasi
language. The pattern is very intricate in its
design and it is done using black wool
stitched horizontally with accurate floats and
count of the yarn embellished in the fabric.
Such intricate designs and patterns take
more than a day to complete one shawl, but
due to the low market demand and visibility,
many people who are interested in learning
the technique cannot afford to practice an
endangered craft which puts Khneng
embroidery in a position where sooner or
later it will become a lost tradition if nothing
is done. Figure 1: Khneng embroidery

At Changing Lives, we ensure that Khneng embroidery continues to live on and extend its
value and credibility for generations to come. We work for sustainability, that is we make

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plans and take action to sustain endangered crafts because we value history without
depriving the future generation of the culture and rich heritage that a tradition has to offer.

Mission
Our mission is to preserve endangered crafts and provide training for the rural communities
for the development and upliftment of the Khneng embroidery as a cultural heritage.

Vision
We at Changing Lives work for the enrichment and sustainability of the craft sector, to
enhance the livelihood of artisans, and let the world know about its existence while
safeguarding the identity of the craft with the aim to revive the dying art and enhance skill
level and market sensitization.

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 2. Goal

i. Helping artisans set up their businesses

Aside from financial and technical assistance, business owners can do a lot to educate
craftsmen. We can supply information, experience, and direction that can actually help
craftsmen develop a profession and income source for themselves because the majority of
local artists work in informal work settings and are unfamiliar with how to manage a
business. We can expand the exposure of traditional art and craft forms both within the
country and globally by providing both offline and online work setups

ii. Train the Artisans

We can help craftsmen acquire current art techniques that can be used in traditional ways
to boost their experience and competence by arranging and conducting skill development
programs and seminars. These kinds of programs are required to bring rural artisans' skills
up to date.

iii. Spreading awareness about Khneng embroidery

Businesses can leverage their web presence to raise awareness about traditional creativity
and craftsmanship that has been lost. We may teach our customers about various forms of
art and craft from various locations in our country through blogging and marketing.

iv. Offering e-commerce platforms to artisans to sell their products

A small seller can now promote their wares all over the world because of the power of
technology. Artisans and craftsmen can offer their beautiful work to a wide number of
people through e-commerce platforms while working comfortably from their homes. India's
handicraft has potential.

Global reach and demand have boosted the country's revenue while also improving the
lives of many rural artisans.

v. Reinvesting in rural artisans and craftsmanship

Traveling to little towns reveals enormous beauty and originality in the region's native
artistry. We can preserve India's indigenous art culture and talent by reinvesting capital in
rural artisans and craftspeople. This investment will also assist rural artists in resuming their
jobs, and India's magnificent creativity will finally receive the acclaim and fame it deserves.

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 3. Activities

a. Conduct workshops

Our organization will conduct workshops at both the rural and urban levels which will
enhance the skills and also the knowledge of the people about the craft. Taking part in
these workshops will enable artisans to bridge the communication gap between themselves
and society as a whole, bringing in a better understanding of demand and supply.

b. Increase interaction with the consumers

It is essential that artists communicate their work and the meaning behind it to consumers.
Our aim is to serve as a bridge between artisans and consumers. In this way, the customer
will be inspired and will establish a connection between themselves and the art. We will
conduct exhibitions where artisans and consumers will interact and also craftsmen will learn
what consumers want or need.

c. Mixing of traditional and modern designs

These days a mixture of old and new designs is being used to strike a balance between the
modern and the traditional. Through this mixture of forms of craft, the Khneng embroidery
has more hope for shining. Our organization has a team of designers who will help the
artisans in the development of their craft.

d. Promotional strategies

For craftsmen and artisans to bring back art and handicrafts to the market, they must
understand how the modern marketplace operates and how it promotes. Our organization
has people skilled in the marketing field who will help throughout their journey to increase
their market approach in both offline and online areas.

e. Recognise it as a source of income

In rural India, the craft sector is second only to agriculture in terms of employment. Kheng
embroidery will provide an additional source of income for seasonal agricultural workers,
who have limited employment options in the village. We will collaborate with already existing

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18 artisans who will help us teach other people about embroidery and how to practice it to
create job opportunities in this field.

f. Collaborations between artisans and designers

We will utilize our awareness programs to initiate collaborations between artisans, urban
designers, and brands. We will be able to save Kheng embroidery by undertaking these kinds of
initiatives and activities and promoting it in the dynamic art culture of the world.

4. Budget

Corporate Company Profile

Company Name: Aditya Birla Group
Founder: Seth Shiv Narayan Birla
Established in: 1857
Chairperson & CSR Head: Mrs. Rajashree Birla (The Aditya Birla Center for Community
Initiative and Rural Development)
Head Office: Aditya Birla Center3rd Floor,
S K Ahire Marg Worli,
Mumbai – 400 030
INDIA
Contact: 022 - 6652 5000

Email address:info@@adityabirla.com (Aditya Birla Group, n.d.)

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Conclusion:

Since Miss. Mrs. Rajashree Birla the Chairperson of Aditya Birla Group has been actively involved in
uplifting the rural community of India our NGO team from Changing lives desire to propose this Project
to the CSR team of Aditya Birla. We believe when they join hands with us by extending their financial
assistance and moral support, we can together uplift the people of Mustoh village and the Shella
region in the state of Meghalaya