Aaharam-One of IM suppliers in Theni district, Tamil Nadu

 Aaharam weavers are producer owned company under CCD (Covenant Centre for Development). Of the different divisions under CCD, Aaharam is a supply chain network management; where suppliers of raw cotton to the finished product is involved.

CCD is an NGO working in many areas of development activities in the rural sector. It has primarily worked with the following sections of rural society for the livelihood intervention initiatives:

1.    Rural women

2.    Traditional Health Practitioners

3.    Medicinal Plants Based Communities (collectors and cultivators)

4.    Agricultural communities

5.    Coastal Communities

CCD is also providing support in marketing of their goods and capacity building of the rural communities in converting the resources – human and natural- for a sustainable livelihood and that does not compromise with the environmental aspect of its functioning.


The inception of Aaharam weaving:-

-        In the year 2009, as a result of policy change in the NGO sector, RTU had to close down its business unit. They took some time in making the artisans understand the situation whilst keeping them employed for another few months and giving them ample time to find another job in the city.
y. There are many who left to find jobs in mills in the city…and few are employed by RTU in the tailoring section for stitching school uniforms and other necessities for the children studying and living in RTU villages. The school uniforms and other necessities are provided for free by RTU.

It was the same year when we – Father Paul Swamy of RTU, Jacky from MESH, Mr. Wangchuk Gyalpo and myself (SOIR-IM) had a meeting with batik artisans and the Mohan raj who is the manager of the RTU Industry with the main aim to find solutions to the issues at hand. Jacky was interested in the batik section as the artisans are suffering from polio and physically challenged. We asked them about their wish to start a SHG and seek help from RTU’s office in receiving and completion of the orders. But the artisans, who have been working permanently for the past many years under RTU, did not want to take risk by starting on their own and taking all the responsibility. Going on their own would mean, perhaps, no continuous work, more responsibility and no provident fund and no other benefits.

-        “About 60% weavers left to work in mills, hotels, agriculture and the remaining are still working in the weaving section. The artisans in the batik section has left to work in the mill too. One artisan from the batik section is still working in the Aaharam’s packaging department. There is a huge work demand in Madurai- which is around 50km from RTU”-said Mohanraj.

-        That is how Aaharam came into existent. However, we were not called during their meeting regarding the takeover.

    About the organization:-

-        Aaharam is a registered company but its present office is situated in RTU’s campus on a rent basis. Mohan raj is the manager and Murshida is also working as an assistant manager. There are about 40 artisans including weavers and bobbin winder. Only 3 artisans are working in the tailoring section and 5 people in the packaging department.

-        The artisans are paid on piece rate and it is from 122-180 per day. They are provided tea two times a day but with no other benefits. Mohan raj mentioned that the orders have gone down by 50% in case of IM orders. If the sales increases, they will think about all the other benefits for the artisans from next year. At present, the buyers are from Japan fair trade company, IM Sweden, SIPA in Chennai, Upasna  in Pondicherry and Sunbird in Delhi. They make table cloth, kitchen towel, Baby towel in both organic and non-organic cotton.

-        As they are dealing with cotton, there is no tax liablity; however they do file monthly return. The cottons are dyed in Karur and they do cabinet dyeing.

-        They do not have a website but Mohanraj said it will be created in few months. The communication with buyer is through e-mail and phone. With IM orders, swedish designer Karin Kock visits them to develop new designs and finalize the samples.

-        Training is provided to artisans for artisans in the quality checking.