Artisans of Rengali

A TALE OF TRANSFORMATIVE CONTRIBUTION


Name: Sri Sudarsan Sahu
Desigantion now: Deputy Manager (MIS)
Designation then: Branch Manager, Rengali.
Period: 2007/2008
Place: Rengali, Sambalpur Region, Bhubaneswar Circle

The Initial State
Most of the villagers of Ganesh Nagar village of Rengali sub-division were engaged in traditional bell metal utensil manufacturing activity. Some of them formed SHGs but could not add value to their routine activity. The middlemen were supplying raw materials and taking back finished goods. Their earnings were Rs1500.00 to Rs2000.00 per month from these job contracts. With this meager earning life was not easy for them. They did not have any surplus income to meet developmental expenses of their family.

Value Design
The Branch Manager of Rengali Branch proposed to help the poor villagers by giving loans if they can work independently and do something beyond traditional items which can fetch them more income. They agreed to this proposal.
Initially a 12-member group was formed. The Branch Manager could rope in DIC and NABARD for providing training to these people under Artisan Development programme. Trainers from Kolkata and Karnataka came to impart training. They train these people in manufacturing of small decorating materials, dolls in bell metal.
Each member of this group were given Rs25000.00 loan under Artisan Credit Card. They procured raw materials collectively at competitive price. Vendors lifted all fancy items manufactured by them immediately. They did not face any problem in marketing. There income shoot up from Rs1500.00 pm to more than Rs5000.00

Sustainability Dynamic
This action initiated by the Branch Manager transformed the life of these people. They could repay their loan in time from the surpluses they earned. This also encouraged many other workers from this village to switch over to this fancy article trade and around 105 artisans were assisted.
Contributed by Shri B K Dash, Intervention Leader - 1, Bhubaneswar