Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Mar 10: The fifth edition of the three-day 'Namma Angadi’, was inaugurated by Dr H S Ballal, pro-chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education at School of Communication campus, Manipal here on Friday, March 8. The annual exhibition-cum-sale of handicrafts, handloom and eco-friendly products is organised by School of Communication (SOC) in association with the Concerned for Working Children (CWC), Kundapur.

Decorative items, jewellery, cotton kurtis, shirts tops, caps, pickle, pure wild honey, soapnut powder, cocum (punarpuli), basket and trays, bamboo products, lavanche products, footwear, natural fertilizer, organic products, handmade paper products are displayed at the venue.

Addressing the gathering, Dr H S Ballal said, “SOC has provided a platform for artisans to sell their products. These days, people migrate from rural to urban areas in search of job which is a bad trend. Over 70% of the people live in rural areas where facilities are very poor. Selling products in the market is becoming a big challenge for artisans. The future generation of artisans should not migrate to urban places. Moreover, these products are eco-friendly and people will definitely purchase them.

“Providing a platform for them to promote and sell their product is necessary. Manipal University will provide all the necessary help. This will go a long way. The expo should be continued,” he said.

T Shivanand Shetty, assistant director, CWC said, “By purchasing even one product at ‘Namma Angadi’, the proceeds can help improve the economy of an entire village. Education system should be changed. Skilled artisans do not get the recognition they deserve and there is less opportunity to market their products. Future generations may lose hope of income from craftwork.

“‘Namma Bhoomi’ started this expo considering the unavailability of raw materials, designing and marketing. People from various deprived classes and orphans work here. There is a need of social recognition for them. After associating with SOC, ‘Namma Angadi’ has been getting worldwide recognition for its eco-friendly products. The employees are working very hard. When jobs get generated in rural areas, social empowerment is definitely possible. Environment is being destroyed in the name of development. This is effecting rural employment.

“All the proceeds from ‘Namma Angadi’ will go to ‘Namma Bhoomi’ (Our Earth), an initiative of CWC. ‘Namma Bhoomi’ is an eco-friendly residential campus where the children are provided education, vocational training, and is a safe haven. ‘Namma Angadi’ is a collective marketing network for young traditional crafts persons of Karnataka who are former child workers,” he said.

Dinesh, in-charge of ‘Namma Angadi’ said, “We earned Rs 25 lac last year. The demand is increasing every year for eco-friendly products. As it is summer season now, people prefer pure cotton apparels. We have trendy dresses for women of all ages. We launch new things here all the time.”

Padma Kumar, HoD of corporate communication welcomed the gathering and Supraja Pradeep, project manager, School of Communication, rendered the vote of thanks. Sangeetha compered the programme.

Daijiworld is the official media partner for the event.

About 'Namma Angadi'

‘Namma Angadi’ was set up in 1992 to help village based craftsmen, who could not visualize a future for their occupations in the village markets due to lack of raw materials and demand for traditional products.

The Concerned for Working Children (CWC) which has been working the field of child labor for almost two decades began to assist rural artisans and ex-child workers to improve and upgrade their skills, produce new products in an innovative way and help them to locate raw materials so as to meet the demands of the market. Within a short period, groups of artisans (Namma Gumpu-Out Group) were formed to address their issues from a common platform. They decided to elect one member out of five to from an association which was coined as Namma Sabha (Our Association). Later, ‘Namma Sabha’, through ‘Namma Angadi’, started to market their products first at Kundapur. ‘Namma Angadi’ believes that the rural market must be strengthened and expanded because they are much more sustainable.

‘Namma Angadi’ has a much diversified experience. This includes interventions from various experts, advanced training for graduate children, improved product designs, financial management and marketing.