Fair Trade/MicroEnterprise

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Comment by GOPI KANTA GHOSH on August 8, 2009 at 12:03am

SUSANTO MUST THINK...

Comment by Rayela Art on August 7, 2009 at 11:06pm

Looks great, Susanta! Would it be OK if I posted the slide show and the text you gave in my blog? www.fiberfocus.blogspot.com

Where can people see it? Is it for sale anywhere?

Comment by GOPI KANTA GHOSH on August 6, 2009 at 11:41pm

TRY IT OUT...

Comment by SUSANTA BISWAS on August 6, 2009 at 12:09pm

As the film is a copyrighted one, I'm posting a slide-show of some stills of the film which can give an idea about the content of the documentary:

Stills from "Artistic approach" -- a documentary by SUSANTA BISWAS

Comment by Rayela Art on August 6, 2009 at 12:03pm

Wow! Lots of wonderful things going on with several of you! Susanta, is there a way we can see your movie? Looks very interesting. Paula, I have those links on my list of things to read when I get some time where I can focus. Wonderful!

Comment by GOPI KANTA GHOSH on August 6, 2009 at 12:10am

GREAT WORK SUSANTA...

Comment by SUSANTA BISWAS on August 6, 2009 at 12:08am

It's my pleasure to share an information with the group members on the historical event of small and medium enterprise in India, as follows:

The documentary on the historical event of establishing the first Small and Medium Forest Enterprise (SMFE) in India

The Government of India as a part of its state planning under the eleventh plan is promoting Small and Medium Enterprise to enhance the rural income and ensure rural development. National Afforestation and Eco-development Board as a working body of Ministry of Environment and Forests, is facilitating Joint Forest Management Committees for their sustenance by implementing seven Small and Medium Forest Enterprise pilot projects through its Regional Centres in seven different regions.

The Regional Centre, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, a nodal centre under the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of India has motivated, trained and sensitized nearly 1000 tribal men and women in Dhalbhum Forest Development Agency forming about 100 self-help groups. Dhalbhum Forest Development Agency includes nine Joint Forest Management Committees namely Mejogora, Harina, Narayanpur, Roteda, Dhengam, Bhukamdih, Kundrukocha, Ranikudar and Monahdih consisting of 20 villages at Potka Developmental Block in East Singbhum district of Jharkhand. It is situated at a distance of about 60 km to the south of Tatanagar, the industrial city of Jamshedpur. The tribal villagers of this forest fringe area are either small or marginal farmers which cause their dependence on forest for fuel wood, fodder and part of livelihood.

The centre prepared them to undertake various activities like Tassar Cultivation leading to silk production, Lac cultivation, Grass mat designer products and Bamboo artifacts production so as to produce saleable products for national and international market. A state level buyers sellers meet was organized at Jamshedpur by the Regional Centre to give the tribal villagers and their produces a nation-wide market exposure and establish convergence with different organizations and sectors like various Government departments for development of funds, Bankers for regular credit flow, Insurance companies for social security, District Rural Development Agency, Jharkhand Tribal Development Society and Corporate Sectors for infrastructure development and marketability of the products.

The Joint Co-ordinator of the Regional Centre, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, Prof. Dr. Asis Mazumdar opined that the whole process under the eleventh Plan, made the initiative of the Regional Centre, a grand success in establishing the first Small and Medium Forest Enterprise in India, at Potka under Dhalbhum Forest Development Agency, East Singhbhum, Jharkhand. The Self-Help Groups of tribal artisans dwelling in the forest fringe villages forming well motivated Joint Forest Management Committees are actively getting involved with Small and Medium Forest Enterprises for preserving and protecting the forest.

The Regional Centre has produced a documentary on establishing the first Small and Medium Forest Enterprise in India titled Artistic approach, a film by Susanta Biswas. The documentary got selection for the 8th International Social Communication Cinema Conference organised by Roopkala Kendro, Department of Information & Cultural Affairs, Government of West Bengal in collaboration with Nandan, West Bengal Film Centre.

The screening of Artistic approach was held on February 19, 2009, Thursday at 7.30 pm in Nandan as a part of the social communication conference on cinema. Chief Minister Budhadeb Bhattacharjee inaugurated the 8th International Social Communication Cinema Conference 2009 at Nandan on Sunday, February 15, 2009. Mr Ashok Bhattacharya, Director and CEO Roopkala Kendra, said this event will help bring mass awareness on social developments across the globe, over the years.

Roopkala Kendro and the Department of Panchayats and Rural Development, Government of West Bengal with the technical guidance of Indian Space Research Organisation regularly telecasts documentaries like “Artistic approach” to conscienticize, educate and inspire government officials, representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, and members of the public. It reaches every nook and corner of West Bengal through 341 Receive Only Terminal situated in the premises of the Panchayat Samity, also the office of the Block Development Officer.

Comment by Valerie Hearder on August 5, 2009 at 6:44pm

Hi Paula:
I was fascinated to read about your project with the Namibian wood carvers.
It is a wonderful thing to dove-tail this product with quilters who are always looking for interesting new techniques. You have already made a big in-road by teaching at the Stitching Post at Sisters - congratulations -
I hale from Durban SA originally and live in Nova Scotia. I hope you get a chance to check out my African Threads business.
Lovely to meet you here and hop to her more about your successes.
regards,
Val Hearder

Comment by GOPI KANTA GHOSH on August 5, 2009 at 1:00am

STAMPING GIVES DISCHARGE EFFECT SO THERE IS DEMAND...BUT YOUNG PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE PATIENCE AND RETURN IS ALSO SMALLER...THERE IS NEED TO PLAN ACCORDING TO SITUATION...IN INDIA IT IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT...SO PLANNING HAS TO BE ACCORDANCE TO SITUATION...

Comment by Paula Benjaminson on August 4, 2009 at 3:21pm

Hi everyone,
I'm glad that a group like this exists, and that I can be a part of it! Before I moved here to Ottawa last summer, I lived in Windhoek, Namibia, in southern Africa. While I was in search of custom framing for an antique map my husband bought, I found the Oshiwa Designs workshop----and discovered a treasure trove of hand-carved wood printing blocks. The Oshiwa artisans are trying to preserve a dying tradition of hand carving in a rapidly urbanizing society that is increasingly leaving behind this aspect of their culture. Young people find it hard to see the value of this painstaking work, and tend to lack the patience to build skill in carving. The Oshiwa Designs group is trying to make a living from their artistry, and I am trying to help. I use the beautiful blocks they make to do fabric stamping, making unique pieces of fabric to use in my art quilts, and I teach workshops to other quilters interested in exploring the possibilities these culture-laden designs can give to their work. I see the hand of each carver in his blocks, and the heritage he carries in his hands is in turn passed on by images we stamp onto our fabrics.
I have been stamping with these blocks and volunteering my time as a sounding board and advocate for several years now, despite leaving Windhoek. The first real support we received from the quilting world was from Jean and Valori Wells of the Stitchin' Post in Sisters, Oregon, when they bought a large carton of blocks and hired me to teach two workshops at this year's Quilter's Affair last month. I cannot overstate my gratitude to them for seeing the beauty in the Oshiwa blocks and being willing to put their money on the line! We could use more insightful leaders like these two businesswomen, but in the meantime, I'm hoping that this forum will help me to help the Oshiwa folks make a living from their art. Any advice would be welcome!
You can see interviews with the carvers Paulus Mutunda, Josef Kanwa, and Dhumba Joseph at www.promoteafrica.org and the blocks at www.oshiwa.com

Paula

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