By Mumtaz Alam, IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, 24 March 2015: Najbun had had hard times until 2009 when a big change came in her life. Mother of nine children would find it hard to meet both ends in Purnia district of Bihar while husband living in Delhi to earn livelihood. Then came Dhaani and with it a big change in Najbun’s life. The economic empowerment initiative of Delhi-based ANHAD gave vocational training to her and she has since been smiling.
Living between in-law’s home and her maternal home, Najbun’s whole world was nine children. She was a daily wager. But since 2009, Najbun’s day has not passed working in the sun but under a roof. Thanks to Dhaani, she now runs her home as well as the village. No wonder if she is the next head of her village.
Products of Dhaani women at exhibition in Delhi on 23 March 2015.
In the last three years, 550 such women have been trained in Purnia and Araria – flood prone districts of Bihar. As some of the areas in these districts remain under water for a few months every year, people lose seasoned crop, months of earning, large amount goes on restructuring of houses.
Giving details about the Dhaani initiative, ANHAD’s chief and renowned social activist Shabnam Hashmi says: “Anhad started working in Purnia District in Bihar in 2008 after the Kosi floods. After the initial relief work and livelihood support to over 150 families we set up vocational training centres in 10 villages in Purnia and Araria.”
There is close to 80% migration in some of these areas. Villages are full of young women work force but in absence of opportunities, lack of exposure, rampant illiteracy, with no specific skill, unavailability of capital keeps them confined to their homes. The official figures for female literacy in Purina are 22.17% while in Araria it is 23.72%.
“We gave training to 550 women in making jute products over a period of three years. Then Dhaani – a producer company was formed to market the products and provide livelihood to the women. Now Dhaani is run by village women and professionals,” she informs.
Dhaani organizes exhibition every year in Delhi and put the products made by these women on sale. This year’s annual exhibition and sale was opened on Monday (23 March) at C 5, Basement, Nizamuddin West, New Delhi. The exhibition will remain open till 31st March from 10am to 8pm daily.
Inaugurating the Dhaani exhibition, eminent Bollywood actor Soha Ali Khan praised the work of ANHAD and Dhaani.
“I know ANHAD has done some very good works since 2002 when they started it in Bihar. The products which are sold under the banner of Dhaani are beautiful and I buy them all the time. The products are in jute, silk other fabrics which women from Bihar, Gujarat, Kashmir and some parts of Delhi have made. The proceeds of course will go towards their empowerment, helping them to be independent and helping them to live because lot of them just live hand to mouth and helping them to educate their children,” said Soha.
“I would recommend these products not only for their beauty because even though they might be lightly costlier than you might purchase in another market, I think the value that they add to the lives of these women is beyond measure,” she said.
Shabnam Hashmi also sought support to Dhaani initiative. “There are many people who want to do some good work but the busy life does not give them the opportunity to do so. By supporting Dhaani all those who want to support livelihood of rural women can contribute their bit,” she said.
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