Craft brings colour to the lives of tribal women

Unable to buy new clothes from the market, every Navratra Rami Ben would make beautiful apparels for her family, designing them exquisitely with mirrors, patchwork and embroidery.
But, little did she know that the art that she practised casually in a hutment in the Okhamandal taluka of Gujarat, would some day make her an entrepreneur who would go on to transform the lives of hundreds of tribal women in the region.
In 2001, Rami Ben joined a self-help group at Okhai, a handicrafts' initiative run by tribal women, and nearly 2 decades later she is the key force driving the endeavour that seeks to make rural women self-reliant.

"There has been a lot of change. I knew embroidery prior to Okhai, but the quality and quantity of work increased," says Rami Ben.
As the master craftsperson of the initiative, she organises and motivates women from different tribes like Ahirs, Rabaris, Charan and other communities inhabiting the area, to use their craft to earn a livelihood and be financially independent.
The 500 women, who are currently employed at Okhai, use their traditional skills they inherit from their mothers, to make exquisite handicrafts in mirror work, patchwork, applique, and embroidery.

As a brand, Okhai Handicrafts constitutes women's wear, men's wear, home decor products and accessories, that are reflective of the rural way of life, the region's rituals and their legends.

The initiative which aims to create "1 lakh happy hands in next five years" has been successful in generating livelihood for hundreds of rural artisans, giving them the resources to provide for their children's education and elderly parents' health.
"Before Okhai, there was no sense of direction in our lives. We never stepped out of the house, now we travel throughout India.
"I didn't even know what a bank is, now I go alone and withdraw money. I even help my parents at home financially," says one of the women members at Okhai.
Most women who came on board Okhai knew very little or nothing about the professional aspect of the art they practised and were trained to work for a business venture.

"In the beginning I didn't know much, but after Okhai we learnt to work efficiently.
Under the initiative the artisans are reportedly earning a monthly income of Rs 500 to Rs 11,000 depending on their skill level, design difficulty and the hours they work at home or the centre.
The brand claims that around 470 families have benefited from the rise in income levels.
"With the average family size in Okhamandal being 7 to 8 members, Okhai has helped improve the economic condition of around 3200 people directly," it says.
Okhai has also had a social impact on the lives of these women by changing the outlook of the villagers towards women, who are now treated respectfully from the family members as well as from the members of the village.

There has also been an evident increase in their participation in decision making, both at home and at the village level, giving a major boost to their self confidence.
"I would stay in a corner in the house and just not speak. But, today I can speak with confidence. I don't know Hindi yet, but I can talk in Gujarati with full confidence," says one of the women at Okhai.