Bawan Buti Weaves of Bihar 

Yarn : Photograph from Basawan Bigha, Nalanda, Bihar

Bawan Buti motifs : Photograph from Basawan Bigha, Nalanda

• Weaving is an age old occupation for communities at several districts in the state of Bihar, while at some of the districts it attained status of a matured industry (at Bhagalpur and Madhubani districts), and at other places, generally, it is confined as a home based enterprise and supplementary livelihood occupation along with agriculture and allied activities. 
• Weaving is generally a home-based enterprise; women are generally involved into pre-weaving/pre-loom work such as warping, spinning, straightening and arranging yarn at loom, dyeing and finishing work. They are also involved into hand-crafted value addition work also.
•  The major weaving areas in the state are Bhagalpur, Rohtas, Gaya, Madhubani,Nalanda, Nawada, Katoria, Patna districts of the state. 
• Government of India(GoI) has supported two mega clusters in Bihar at Bhagalpur and Banka districts. The support is for integrated and holistic development of the handloom cluster for improving the product quality and increase trade thereby benefiting weavers and other value chain players. 
• Besides this GoI has also extended support to two Block level clusters at Nawada (Nawada district) and Dehri (Rohtas district). As per the guidelines, Central government has directed state government of Bihar to make provision for land for development of above said cluster. 
• The presence of weavers’ base in the state can be considered as an asset for emerging handloom and textile manufacturing units. With state government intervention, it can offer long term employment opportunities - such as pre and post loom functions, apparel making, and supply functions- for women and young female youth. 
•  Nalanda district is known for its Handicraft and Handloom clusters. The Handicraft cluster mainly produces earthen & plaster statues; the Handloom cluster has sarees, dress materials, home furnishing, dhoti, gamcha, and blankets as key produce. 
• Biharsharif town and nearby villages such as Basawan Bigha, Nepura, Malah Bigha, Uparanwa has weavers’ settlement which produce cotton handloom and silk dress materials. Bawan Buti patterned sarees and Buti (miniature motifs) cloths are said to be exclusive to Biharsharif. 
• It is said that in earlier times 52 motifs (so the name Bawan Buti) were woven in a saree and gifted to daughter at the time of her marriage among Buddhist follower families in Bihar. The Bawan Buti sarees and dress materials denoted nobility in ancient times. 
• Bawan Buti sarees are losing sheen in the state. For revival of the craft, it is important to give the weave a relaunch by design distinction, training, institutional linkages and other interventions. If promoted , the Bawan Buti weave has the quality and uniqueness and business potential to thrive and support livelihoods of weavers and other value chain players. 
• There have been limited efforts to re-position the image of the sarees to build consumer appreciation. No product positioning has been pursued based on the history and cultural identity associated with the product. For revival, it requires support for promoting hand woven hand-crafted Buddhism weave idea and take it to the next level. Also, the intervention should ensure that weaver benefits economically to continue it. 
• There is limited awareness and visibility of Bawan Buti sarees. It also requires digital marketing and acceptance / endorsement from Saree enthusiasts across the country. 
• Women are the backbone of weaving and a major contributor to the households engaged in weaving. Women play a major role in all pre-loom operations and take on labour-intensive activities related with Bawan Buti crafted sarees. They are also involved into weaving though not on a regular basis. With skills, training and design assistance they may contribute better in the areas of spinning and hand weaving. 
•  Under cluster development initiatives, women may be involved into taking up post weaving work such as finishing, stitching, value addition, supply which will provide them the opportunity for sustainable income. A cadre of women master weavers making signature design patterns and weaves may also be developed to promote villages under the cluster as ‘Bawan Buti Craft Village’. 
• State supported activities like run for supporting Bawan Buti weaves may be organised on National Handloom Day as part of promotion strategy. 
• Initiating strong digital campaign to promote the Bawan Buti weaves including – Bawan Buti Weaver’s Tale and campaigns such as Selfie with Bawan Buti Handloom and #iwearbawanbuti series on facebook , Instagram etc. I similar #iwearhandloom campaign was conducted sometime back. 
• Identification of eminent personalities to give support to the Bawan Buti craft by wearing them. 
• Further, Bawan Buti to be included as part of cultural diplomacy by state just like Madhubani painting.

Development Finance , Livelihoods , MSME and a Lot More : Digital Inclusion of Micro-Entrepreneurs

Development Finance , Livelihoods , MSME and a Lot More : Digital Inclusion of Micro-Entrepreneurs:                India is currently in the midst of a large effort to modernize its financial services and move individuals into the ...

Development Finance , Livelihoods , MSME and a Lot More : Promotion of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises ...

Development Finance , Livelihoods , MSME and a Lot More : Promotion of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises ...: Foreword : - Ø   The MSME sector forms the backbone of economic progress and development because of its contribution to industria...

Promotion of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises at State Level by Collaborating with Top Management Institutions:

Foreword: -

Ø The MSME sector forms the backbone of economic progress and development because of its contribution to industrial productivity, employment generation, versatile nature, adaptability and contribution in exports.

Ø MSME industries constitute an important segment of the state economy in terms of employment generation and as a source of foreign exchange earnings through exports. For example: the MSME sector accounts for almost 60% of the total industrial output in Uttar Pradesh. It also accounts for second largest employment generation next only to agriculture sector in the state.

Ø Government of India has been making efforts to provide congenial environment and policy support to enable the MSME sector to achieve higher levels of production, exports and employment. The MSME sector offers high growth potential and by strengthening the sector more employment can be generated for the skilled workforce.

Strengthening and Promotion of Micro, Small, and Medium Sector at State Level in collaboration with Top Management Institutions:

Ø A structured experiential 6-9 month programme for management graduates can be considered by the state government. The aim of the programme would be to support strengthening of MSME sector in the state by engaging management grads who are committed and passionate about development, sector experts as mentors and elite jury for evaluation of the programme. The sharing of learning at suitable forums can be done by the management institute and / or relevant government department.

Ø The idea is to initiate a structured development immersion programme for 20-25 management grads (initially) where an each selected will be attached with a chosen enterprising small business holder / small enterprise owner for about 6-9 months’ period.

Ø Course objectives may be: -

1) Build socially inclined management graduates by giving them the opportunity to face the ground level issues, bridging the knowledge –doing gap, and providing them a platform to utilize their ideas into practice.

2) Suggest products or service concepts for serving the BoP clients and small holder enterprises.

Ø The programme will give first hand understanding to a management grad of opportunities and challenges to development, growth and sustainability of a small business enterprise and provide opportunity to utilise one’s knowledge and skills in improving / strengthening it. A batch of 20-25 grads will be chosen through criteria based intensive selection process by the Management Institute.

Ø The programme will be designed to attract motivated and socially inclined grad students. the programme may provide them the opportunity of getting exposed to ground realities, experimenting under the guidance of mentor / specialist, and make positive change in the lives of poor / disadvantaged small enterprise owners. It is an opportunity to experience development, market & social conditions, and gain first hand exposure like no other.

Ø The broad programme design is presented below: -

§ Identification of the business enterprises. Management Institutes may collaborate with Small Finance Banks / RRBs for the same.

§ Selection of a batch of students Best fit for the skills and competency

§ The management institute may make a core group of MSME experts as Mentors to support students in suggesting solution and strategies to the enterprise he/she is attached with.

§ Each of the students under programme will be mentored by MSME experts and supported by Institute faculty throughout the programme duration. It is expected that each of the student attached with a small holder enterprise will develop customer segment led approach to provide solution under guidance of MSME expert and institute faculty support.

§ The visits, activities, processes followed, suggestions & recommendation made, and learning at each enterprise should be documented in a standard format by the student, and same is presented to and evaluated by an elite jury, formed by the institute in consultation with associated state government department. The best ones shall be awarded with appreciation certificate and prize money.

§ The suggested programme may also have provision to a minimum honorarium to the volunteer students for meeting the basic expenditure/local visits to the attached enterprises.

I will write about programme details in other post.

Thanks for reading.

Digital Inclusion of Micro-Entrepreneurs

• India is currently in the midst of a large effort to modernize its financial services and move individuals into the electronic financial space. One of the biggest initiatives launched by the government is “Digital India” to ensure that government services are made available to citizens electronically by improved on line infrastructure and by increasing Internet connectivity.
• Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) provide a significant opportunity for employment generation. MSEs can adopt digital payment systems which will provide them an opportunity not only to grow the businesses, also empower and equip to move from cash based to digital payment systems, enhance their money management and business skills while establishing a strong foundation for economic development. Adopting digital is a path towards financial inclusion of MSEs and their customers.

• It was felt that Mobile Literacy Lab campaigns on digital financial literacy can be used at remote / under served areas for information to micro entrepreneurs in using digital avenues to strengthen and expand small business. The doorstep sensitization will addresses the time convenience and proximity barriers faced by people in accessing information on new digital channels.

• Government agencies have undertaken initiatives for improving digital inclusion of micro-entrepreneurs and improve sensitization on digital financial literacy among rural masses including micro entrepreneurs, farmers and artisans.

• Many villagers have smart phone access, generally the youth, who have been using Facebook and downloaded apps from Google Play store. It was shared that they took help of others to download apps and not sure if they have an email address. Mobile phone stores, Photography and video editing shop owners generally have working email address in rural India.

• It is observed that digital financial literacy has been poor in rural areas. Though , few youths have knowledge about mobile wallets (Paytm and Phone Pe etc.), but they needed to acquire skills and inculcate habits to effectively use digital devices for financial transactions.

• Digital awareness and use of digital options are hardly found among village entrepreneurs. Though some entrepreneurs were observed using Paytm for receiving and making payments.

• Illiteracy is high; those who are literate are comfortable with Hindi language-based interfaces. Due to low literacy/understanding of English language, many of them distrust digital options.

• Understanding of interface, safety and security are the top priorities for people who like to use digital options for financial transactions. 

• Village entrepreneurship is limited to petty kirana shops, tea stalls, and seasonal agri input stores. Generally, there are two to three shops in a moderately sized village.

• Village entrepreneurs deal in cash, for shifting to digital platform they may require usage support and volume. 

• 2.5 lakh Gram Panchyats may have access WiFi using Bharatnet. The incessant access may then facilitate opting digital mode of financial transactions.

Following was observed at field areas of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar :-

• There are multiple barriers to adoption of digital finance such as illiteracy, lack of Hindi language-based interfaces, knowledge and trust barriers.

• Increasing financial and digital literacy is crucial for entrepreneurs, but it requires person-to-person engagement and digital training tools especially at usage level.

• Long term initiatives to acquaint village entrepreneurs with digital banking is required to be undertaken.

Thanks for Reading.