Concept - Anurag RanaLeela Design
Indian Crafts and Cell Phones
This is Jessore - a remote village, in West Bengal, also known as village of
Kumbhakars (Potters)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/raahulsingh/1004216757/
Mina Kumbhakar, one of the potters, he makes beautiful terrcotta pots. He works only for 3 months in a year. “We make these products on order basis. Mostly orders are erratic and the city buyers unreliable.”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/meanestindian/361371568/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/judepics/2369961720/
“My family is part of my production teamVisits to Delhi and Calcutta help me get some new orders while also enabling me to buy new things.”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckaysavage/342091584/in/set-72157603822434767/
“I had taken loan from the money lender to complete a large order 2 years ago. I am still trying to repay it
as we had 50% rejection.”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckaysavage/342091584/in/set-72157603822434767/
“This is my existing system of selling my products…”
I design my own products
1
I sell in the local market & supply to a few stores in
Kolkata & Delhi
2
Participate in Dilli Haat & Surajkund mela annually
3
Mina Kumbhakar had better opportunities to sell ?
What if… He could earn more during the year?He could be better trained?
What are we talking about ?
SUPPORT NETWORK
MARKETING
PRODUCTION
New marketing activities will help Mina to increase his sales and profits.
His production increases and so does his regular flow of income.
Newer alliances, better technology to sustain his business.
DESIGN + TRAININGDesign development + training inputs
HELPING Mina
FrameworkThe Power of Mobile Information
Mina Wants Information
• in his language + ability to make decisions
• about different SHGʼs (self help groups)
• about grameen banks and schemes.
• about their craft and the related materials
• about other artisans in their vicinity
FrameworkThe Power of Mobile InformationMobile database
• Database of Artisans
• Database of Skills • Quality Standards
• Training Undertaken
• Ordering, Software • Financing needs
Available on SMS
Designskill development Information on training institutes and government initiatives
Type of TrainingHow can you attendDate / Fee if any
Design
Available on SMS
Productionproduct development Developing market driven products.
Type of Material availableCost of MaterialSupply TimeTop selling products
Available on SMS
Capacity building
October Total Pots 1000
Currently Mina works for 3 months in a year
November December+ + =
Capacity building
We can gradually increase the total number months by another 3
months and so on
Jul, Aug, Sept
Oct, Nov, Dec+ + = Total Pots
2000Total Period6 months
Capacity buildingMina Kumbhakar
when he is not making pots he is teaching his craft
Can we also make him a resource ?
Mina updates his availability
and skill level regularly on his
cell phone, so that he can get
relevant work when he is free.
MarketingLinkages
Stores - requirements
Fairs - dates and participation info
Exhibitions - dates and participation info
Available on SMS
- India and overseas
SUPPORTNETWORK
The handicraft sector requires sustained support to strengthen it’s needs and enable it to deliver.
A need based approach is the key to integrated development where the artisan is involved in each stage of intervention.
A ground level mechanism needs to be created to provide single point approach in providing solutions and support