Jana Kalyan Samagra Bikash Parishad
Janakalyan Samagra Bikash Parishad was originally started around 1985 by Shri Maheswar Das. His aim was to provide employment opportunities to rural women and community development in and around the institution’s area. After his demise in 1988, the institution remained non functional for nearly 3 decades. In 2017-18, Mr. Bhubaneswar Kalita, who was an Executive Officer with Assam Khadi Board started an initiative to revive the institution after his retirement. As he had already worked closely with khadi artisans during his official tenure, he wanted to help and develop the artisan community of the state.
At present, the KI is working with more than 400 artisans, mostly women from different communities of Assam like Axomiya, Ahom, and a few from Rabha, Bodo and Bengali Muslim communities.
The KI is relatively new but has been listen in the “A” category of KIs and has touched the 1crore mark in terms of turnover.
Products of Janakalyan Samagra Bikash Parishad
Eri Silk Stoles
Janakalyan Samagra Bikash Parishad specializes in manufacturing lustrous Eri silk stoles of yarn counts 30s and 40s. The stoles are usually made by utilizing the extra weft technique.
Eri Silk Yardages
The silk yardages made at the Khadi institution are wider than most of the yardages. They are manufactured at the width of 48 inches as compared to the other institutions which manufacture 36" to 45".
Eri Silk Scarf
Just as stoles, the Khadi Institution also manufactures silk scarves with Muga Silk being used as extra weft yarn to create interesting motifs on the scarves.
Design Development
The institution relies on their departmental heads for design direction. Sometimes weavers present their unique inputs to the extra weft designs, which helps in development in newer motifs in the scarves and stoles.
Know your Khadi institution
Artisans
Presently the institution has more than 350 + hand spinners engaged part time. 30+ hand weavers are also engaged part time with the institution. Along with this 2-3 highly skilled finishing artisans are also engaged with the institution.
Infrastructure
Most of the weaving looms are present at the homes of the artisans. Some of the looms are owned by the artisans themselves, as handloom weaving is a part of life in most rural areas of Assam. Some of the looms are jacquard looms for extra weft weaving and some are the basic frame looms with bamboo pedals for plain weaving.
Spinning
In the villages associated with the KI, all the spinning is done by hand using the drop spindle technique. The spindle is called 'Takuri' in Assamese. The artisans still follow the traditional practice of hand spinning, as they are more at ease with using the drop spindle technique.
Dyeing
The dyeing is done in the open area on the campus itself. They generally use natural dyes for dyeing Eri yarns like turmeric , lac, tea leaves, onion peels etc. They also use powdered natural dyes to bring about a variety of colors in their yarns.
From the looms of Borihat, Assam
Handwoven from Handspun yarns at Khadi Institutions across India
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