Besides conducting ration drives among migrant labourers, senior citizens and members of the transgender community in recent months, the organisation has also initiated projects like Pink Line, aimed at training women to drive, to ensure their own safety as well as those of children and senior citizens, who may rely on their services. The initiative, says Gaekwad, will especially target women who have lost working family members to COVID-19.   

Last week, the MCSU launched the first edition of Urja, a fundraiser that brought together an eclectic mix of premium home-grown designers, ethical brands, hand-crafted products by local artisans, and thoughtful merchandise made by women of the MCSU Sanstha, some artists attending the event while others sending in consignments.

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.86%

AAP 41.43%

INC 25.71%

Submit

View All In Poll

Kansa utensils by metalsmiths from Aukhama, Odisha; and the Maheshwari weave from Madhya Pradesh, are among the many products on sale

Among the craftworks featured at Urja were Dokra products made by artisans in Nuagaon and kansa utensils from Aukhama, ikat from Sarakpatna, and baskets, hats and fans woven from dried and dyed bamboo strips by weavers in Govindpur, Dhenkanal, Odisha. Also part of the fundraiser were master weaver Mustakim Kachara’s Kota sarees; weaves from sixth generation Maheshwari weavers Pawar Handlooms; appliqué patchwork by craftsman Khetaram Choudhary’s Marudara Mahila Vikaas Samiti in Barmer, Rajasthan; the nearly 500-year-old art of Soof embroidery by artist Dayaben Dohat from the Tharad region of Gujarat, and Mata Ni Pachedi work by Sanjay Chitara, a ninth-generation practitioner of the art form traditionally practised by the nomadic and marginalised Waghri community, where the fabric depicts the goddess and the legends that surround her.

Radhikaraje Gaekwad

“Urja stemmed from a need to give artisans as well as home-grown designers, who were struggling during the past year, an equal footing. We also decided to use it to raise awareness and funds for causes like Pink Line, our work with the trans community, and also for an upgradation of our courses,” says Gaekwad.

WHAT: Shree Maharani Chimnabai Stree Udyogalaya (MCSU)
WHERE: @chimnabai_udyogalaya, INSTAGRAM
WHEN: Ongoing