PAGIR is a rights movement working to create a society that is inclusive and free of prejudice through mobilizing people, campaigning on rights issues and accessing legal aid.It was started in the year 2007 led by differently able people and their family members.
One of the MESH board members who visited Ladakh recommended this group to Jacky, who is the Executive Secy of MESH. Shyam, MESH Designer, traveled to meet with these groups and help them with design and quality.
MESH is presently working with the tailors developing their skills in achieving the quality, color combination, designs. There is one female tailor from PAGIR working on new designs. I did not believe that she could not hear me because she responded to my queries. Later I was told and realized she was lip-reading. And a good one at that! Ashok having design qualification is from Bethany Leprosy colony and working with MESH for a year as an intern. He is working with Kunzang and the artisan on product designs, pattern and quality checking.
With Jacky and Ravi, Kunzang is learning about costing, specification and how to use tally in their organization. Ashok is helping her to know about patterns and how to check the quality. With his help, kunzang wants to create something so that everyone can check the quality of the products. I thought it was a good idea because all the artisans will be more conscious and careful about what they are producing. Earlier their products lack quality, precision, color combination. MESH has helped them develop new products such as bags and card purse.
Besides production, PAGIR is also involved in tourism. Kunzang met with Malikarjuna of Fair Trade Forum-India who have shown an interest in tourism. She also attended the workshop on sustainable consumption and social responsibility organized by FTF-I on June 23rd.
Kunsang has expressed her interest in meeting with the Dharamsala groups to know more about their paper recycling methods. I promised to refer them to Tsering Phuntsok, Manager of Paper Factory who I am sure will definitely help them. Jacky feels that it will be helpful for the groups to see the paper factory unit and added “It is a model” in our community (Tibetan).
Tsering Youdon
Fair Trade Coordinator
No comments:
Post a Comment