Revitalization of Strategy for Upgradation of Marginalized Weavers Through a Holistic Vision: Varanasi

Abstract

India is famous for its various heritages. Handicraft of Varanasi that is Banarasisaree is one of them, which is a home based activity and it is also 100 years old heritage of Varanasi. The lackadaisical economical as well as housing policy for long time towards weavers, has led the marginalized population (who lives below poverty line) to create slums and live in sub-human environment. Their wages are too low for their livelihood in present economic conditions. As a result this is leading to cases of malnutrition and committing suicide among the marginalized weavers because of debt under Grihasthas (Master weavers) and many of them had changed the occupation too. To preserve this heritage of Varanasi there is a need to have weaver’s specific programme for both economic as well as housing at national level. Many studies have been done by Textiles Committee Government of India, Mumbai & Human Welfare Association, Varanasi, BHU professors, NGOs and scholars, on the up gradation of economic aspect for weavers but none of them have focus upon the housing though weaving is a home based activity, in which whole family is involved and get affected by the issues related to it. So, in this paper emphasis has been pointed out will have to be placed on action plan in the following specific areas: Macro housing & economic policy, stakeholders & institutional coordination, financial resources and mechanism for shelter and infrastructure development. The mobilization of community- based resources can only be ensured through the full participation of communities in decision making affecting their shelter.