For The Common Good

During seventies and eighties the Indian handmade carpet industry had a sizzling pace of growth. Massive demand for carpets from western shores outpaced the supply because the huge demand led to shortage of weavers.

Resultant there was huge influx of labor from the neighboring states. To exploit the opportunity extensively, child labor too was brought in droves.

Thanks to a few activists, this horrifying reality came into light in the later part of the eighties.

The terrible news got wings and spread like wild fire which reached to countries of the west which were the chief consumers of this craft.

Carpet importers became wary and as a precautionary measure started asking for affirmation that the carpets being supplied are free from child labor.

But the damage has already been done.

The industry which was going at a fast clip saw sharp drop in its export simply because magic of media reached even to consumers who avoided buying handmade Indian carpets.

IKEA, a Sweden based multinational, which bought Indian rugs in great quantities, found itself in a tight spot.

At one point in time it was about to stop sourcing carpets from India but good sense prevailed and it decided to bring discipline into its Indian suppliers.

Thus I-Way (Ikea-Way) came into existence which required that its suppliers should follow the norms set in its I-Way - norms which required abide by not only tenets spelled in its I-Way but Indian labor law should also be adhered.

No doubt, besides Ikea, there appeared many non-profit organizations (NGOs) who are still working for the elimination and rehabilitation of child labor of this industry.

But the greatest catalyst of them all, I believe, was Ikea and its I-Way, which was very effective in making the general public aware of the abuse and making the Indian carpet dealers' observant with the vulnerability to the trade from this immoral practice.

Many manufacturers even got themselves registered with organizations such ISO and other Social Compliance Audits

Undeniably these measures contributed considerably to fight the abuse of child labor from this industry but the problem is still prevalent not insignificantly.

Problem still exist simple because carpet industry is cottage industry and is spread deep into the unapproachable hinterlands.

In fact, I believe, that active involvement of the whole industry can prove effective to wipe the problem from its root.

The idea is that each manufacturer worth its salt must take up a social cause that is targeted for the welfare of deprived children.

At this end, we at AAFRIIINZ intend to adopt the village Nai Bazar - a village where we live-in - with the objective of taking its people in confidence.

This undertaking, we believe, becomes possible if our approach is value based - if we are able to make people aware with the values of life - that is caring, sharing and sensitive to social mores.

If we are sincere, it won't be hard to make these simple folks to partner for this common cause.

May be we prove ourselves an example to be followed by others.

And, of course we would like that our audience be a part of this problem-solution process to and send their suggestions if they feel like so.

Happy Independent Day

On August 15, , India was celeberating Indian Independent Day but how the British media covered this occsion is worth noting.

Mainstream British newspaper have been running 'India at 60' series', while the The Times, London produced an special India supplement and The Gaurdian devoted its entire feature pull out to "The New India".

The Gaurdian India Special's theme was expressed by its cover headline that announced:

"This is the best place in the world to be born right now"

The Indepent's attempted to answer the question

"60 years after partition, why is India is doing so much better than Pakistan"

The pape said, "Now at the age of 60 , India's image is that of an resurgent, confident regional power racing to compete with China and the West".

India is getting appreciated all over the world and this is a matter of great jubilation. What according to Times of India, we lack is real 'LEADERS'. For which its "LEAD INDIA" innitiative 'India seeks her future leader' is a step in right direction.

Let us hope that Indian carpet industry too grows with leaps and bounds in the times to come.

Heart of Design

Design is everything and the heart of design is its color. Right colors help sell a product better. The question is how to get the right colors?

One of the most wanted source for color is US based  HYPERLINK http://www.colormarketing.org Color Marketing Group (CMG) whose color palettes are hot favorite all over the world. CMG relies on its 1000 plus color experts, designers and pigment specialists. “These experts gather twice a year in the US and then twice a year abroad where they examine the sociological, economic and political trends influencing life all over the world,” so says Bobby Schlesinger, spokesperson for CMG, the world leading authority on color trends.

Schlesinger says that two years back CMG predicted some colors that are hot favorite today. Among the colors they predicted were the botanical greens and the earth-toned neutrals, the deep, classic, ethnic red and oranges.

Color consultant Latika Khosla in Mumbai, who heads Freedom Tree Design, finds Indian manufacturers are beginning to get curious about color forecasting. “They are going beyond listening to just a handful of designers who’d choose some pretty colors.” Says Khosla, co-chair, Asia Pacific Rim, CMG. Manufacturers and brand owners in India are beginning to see their products need to be in sync with the color trends to crack open western export market” she says,

Orange, red, pink – these vibrant Indian colors are getting hot favorite among fashion and design circuits. CMG advises manufacturers for keeping an eye out for pink. Aqua ferozi trend is also in the market.

Many Indian carpet manufacturers get their designs and colors from their buyers. These buyers, most probably, keep a sharp watch on the trends and choose colors that syncs well with the fashion. But there are many who develop there own design. I hope the Indian Carpetwallahs too keep a close watch on the international color trend that goes well with rest of the world.

Source:  HYPERLINK http://www.businessworld.in/content/view/1589/1649/ "

.....................................................................

Kaleej Times reports that

Iran unveils “world’s largest carpet” for UAE

To see the full report Click Here_

Social Orientation

In the recent past, there has been a welcome quality change in
the outlook among the Indian carpet dealers. Started by Anisa
Carpets Limited, who were the first to apply for a certificate in
handmade carpet industry for
Social Accountability from BSI and got it only last year which
is proudly displayed in their Bhadohi and London office.

A few months back I met Indra Mohan Srivastava, Management
Consultant of Constraarch - Mansys, who told me that many
carpet exporters have applied for this certificate in recent
past and SA 8000 certificates will be bestowed to them
in the near future. 

Indra Mohan told me that Consraarch has two offices in
Uttar Pradesh, one in Moradabad and other in Lucknow.
He further told me that Contraarch are enlisted consultant
with New York Based Social Accountability International (SAI)
and without their recommendation this certificate can not
be issued. He visits Bhadohi often to complete the cases
and also to market this service.  

I believe this is a very welcome sign and hope that more
and more carpet dealers will get connected to this and
ISO. They shouldn't only get connected to it just to observe
the by laws set by BSI but they are needed to go some
extra miles. 

There are many justifiable reasons for taking that extra
mile. One genuine reason is that we are carrying with
us a stigma - stigma of child labor - on our shoulder for
over a decade. I believe by going that extra mile will
help us mitigate this dishonor.  

We need an image makeover. That is possible only
when we prepare ourselves for going that extra
distance. SA 8000 and ISO can help us greatly for
that image change.  

We have already suffered greatly. No one believes
us if we say that our carpets are free from child labor.
For over a decade we are using labels declaring that
carpets being exported are free from child labor.
When will we get rid of this practice? Perhaps,
SA 8000 has come our way as a blessing in disguise.
It, most probably, is going help us get rid of our
tarnished image. Won't it?

--------------------------------

Notable note:

Do you know that Sachin Tendulakar's total
tax exemtion was Rs. 8.87 crore during
1998-99 and 2004-05?

“The new way of watching TV” and “All the things you love about TV, fused with all the fun and interactive power of the internet.”

The website of Joost so announces on it home page. Joost
is basically internet TV.Its quality is high. Download the
beta version of the client software. You will find
it far superior than other video on the internet. Overall,
the video quality isn’t as
good as TV but the advantages are many.

But wait! You can not see its TV program unless you get
an invite. In the meantime enjoy IBN Live 

On Anvil: Relief For Exporters

Fast appreciation of rupee has hit hard to the Indian exporters. Most of the exporters make their invoice in dollar term as such they are losing more than 8 per cent.

Exports grew at a very healthy rate for the last three years however, it seems exports are decelerating. According to the all India figure, released by Department of Commerce, export growth has decelerated to 5.2% in January, 7.8% in February and 8.84% in March 2007 and, no one has any doubt that the single most decelerator is the appreciation of rupee.

An internal study conducted by the Commerce Ministry reveals that the textile industry, one of the largest employment generators in the country, appears to be severely hit by the hardening of rupee.

What is true with textile industry is also true for carpet industry because most of our exports are price sensitive and mostly invoiced in US dollar. In that situation it would be hard to meet the target set by carpet exporters.

Government is deliberating to find mechanism to offset the losses to exporters. Support packages are on its way and are expected to be cleared within a month. The packages that are on the anvil are: refund of certain taxes; reducing premium on insurance cover on exports; reducing ECGC premium rate by 10%; enhance duty drawback by 5% and rates of duty neutralization schemes like Duty Entitlement Pass Book; reducing interest rate on pre and post shipments to 6%; paying interest on Exchange Earner’s Foreign account; Service Tax exemption etc.

In the last two month the rupee has risen by 13% which is having an impact on orders besides it is also causing employment loss. It is expected that export will dip drastically if these measures are not taken immediately.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Enjoy the video: Rjnikant Ka Baap

BlackBerry

Just launched BlackBerry Pearl is now available is now available in Pearl White and Piano Black colors. Among the feartures what is notable is that it provides location-based service.
You simply need to enter your destination. A map appears showing the way.
Other features of that this mobile incorporates are such as personal e-mail, instant messaging, and Web browsing. It has a 1.3 megapixel camera with 3 zoom levels (up to 5X), and built-in flash.
The BlackBerry Pearl also features "myFaves" that allows users to have quick, one-touch access to their favorite five friends and family members. In addition to calling, instant messaging, and texting, sending an email to one of the five favorites is also just a hit away.
For complete information Click Here
Won't it be a great device for exporters who frequent their business jaunts so very often?

George Bush’s watch gets stolen

Bruce Schneier’s posts have detail of this theft. Bush was in Albnia when this happened – cheering in Fushe Cruja. Bush is wearing the watch in a 50 second clip but it is missing 14 second later.

America denies the alleged theft. But you can see this video

DOMOTEX Middle East 2007

Sultan bin Saeed Al-Mansouri opens DOMOTEX Middle East 2007

Opening DOMOTEX Middle East 2007, the region's only specialised flooring and carpet exhibition, Al-Mansouri said: 'It is very important to have a local flooring industry of high quality, and what I have seen is very encouraging, since many companies from the region, such as those from Saudi Arabia, are competing on an international level.'

The event is open until 8pm on Wednesday (June 13) at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

'This is an important exhibition, particularly with the tremendous growth in the real estate sector the UAE is witnessing, namely in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ajman,' added Al-Mansouri.

'I have seen companies exhibiting flooring products that are also environmentally friendly, which is in line with the construction trends in the region.'

DOMOTEX Middle East 2007 features 269 exhibitors from 37 countries, including first-time representation from Cyprus, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Norway and Poland. In addition to the country pavilions from Belgium, China, India and the USA, this year's show also welcomed the country pavilion debuts of Afghanistan, Austria, Germany and The Netherlands.

For full story see Ameinfo.

Courtesy: Ameinfo

Bhadohi 1972

Year 1972: Curfew was clamped in Varanasi. CARY WOLINSKY, a 25-year-old photojournalist Boston was confined to his room in a Varanasi hotel. He was here for stories for National Geographic and other photo magazines. Luckily, he met Naseeruddin Ansari of Bhadohi. Ansari told him about his business and invited him to Bhadohi and he was enamored with appealing sight of the town. What followed was visual odyssey through the vibrant culture of textiles across a dozen countries including India.

Wolinsky’s works will be showcased at the Pucker Gallery in Boston from June 9 to July 8. Many of them, I believe will cover photographs from our carpet industry. Just take dip at HARSH KABRA’s beautifully illustrate Voyages of Discovery

Buy/Sell Exchange

On the net there are many buy/sell exchanges from where Carpet Exporters can derive great benefits. One of them is The Federation of International Trade Association. Its primary membership is free but you have to pat $ 69.95 for a month's subscription that too for a limited period.

Here buyers place there requirements and I believe, Carpet importers also visit this website not only to place there requirements but looking for carpet manufacturers who can best serve their requirement. Just click here and take a look.

DOMOTEX MIDDLE EAST

To day DOMOTEX Middle East (11 - 13 June) opens its gates to the visiting public in Dubai. Around 260 exhibitors from 36 countries will be exhibiting their floor coverings in this trade fair.

There is a construction boom in the Gulf Region. The "Al Reef Villas" project in Abu Dhabi consists of 2,500 villas and 1,700 apartments in the medium price range. Other examples include the "Saadiyat Island" project (which will house 150,000 inhabitants) and "The Gate" (designed for 120,000 residents). These and other projects are generating sales potential for floor covering manufacturers. Against this background DOMOTEX Middle East will function as the ideal stepping-stone to these growth markets.

DOMOTEX Middle East which made its debut only last year has attracted many Indian carpet manufacturers who will be exhibiting their range of rugs there.

A special feature of this fair is that, for the first time in Dubai, a Carpet Design Awards will be held. I hope Indian brethren also not only win design award but also succeed in bagging huge orders for carpets.

To Save The Earth - Earn Carbon Quotient

Though the phenomenon of global warming is not new but the understanding about it is quite recent. For the last few years we have seen much devastation around the world believed to be the consequence of global warming. I wouldn’t be surprised if scientists proclaim that global warming was the cause of Cyclone Gonu, the strongest tropical storm to have hit the region in several decades, which traumatized Oman only a few days back.

The world has come to a brink of great disaster and urgent steps are required to arrest the alarming approach of global warming. In a recent United Nations debate, United Kingdom argued that Security Council should take a central role in responding to climate change. Not only the people at higher ups are worried but the awareness is increasing even in common people. Unless a source of clean energy is found in abundance, not only the Scientist and governments but common people too need to watch their activity and refrain from doings that helps lessen the warming of the globe.

Earning CARBOB QUOTIENT (CQ) is a way common people should take part to lessen the effect of global warming. What is needed is that people should watch their activity and try to earn as much CQ as possible. The more the consumers consume the amenities of life the more it will add to global warming. For instance the person who consumes 5 buckets of water to bath adds more CO2 (carbon dioxide) in the environment than the person who consumes one bucket for the same purpose (we need one bucket of water for a bath but a shower bath takes 5 bucket). That means the person who uses one bucket of water earn more CQ (to pump water we need electricity and electricity is produced by burning fossil fuel – greatest cause for global warming).

The objective is that people should resort to eco-friendly activity and participate in activities that helps stop the fast approach of global warming. We earn more CQ when we use CFL instead of bulb, travel by train instead of traveling by air, for short distance riding we use bicycle instead of using motorized vehicles (in most western countries, cycle ride has re-emerged due to this awareness).

The need is that every individual should keep a watch of his activities and restrain themselves from extravaganzas, earn as much CQ as possible and be a part of this international mission to stop the climate change..

(Artisans (carpet weavers) are the greatest earner of Carbon Quotient. Any doubt!)

Maya Magic

Year: 1982 (?); Event: Visit of then U P Chief Minister, Vishwanath Pratap Singh to Bhadohi Handmade Carpet Industry on invitation from AICMA.

Many banners were hung across the road to welcome V P Singh, Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh but the unforgettable streamer that amused most was:

NEGLECTED BHADOHI – WELCOMES V P SINGH CHIEF MINITER UP

The chat about the banner made the environment high spirits at All India Carpet Manufacturers Association (AICMA) where the delegates and Industrywallahs assembled to hear the CM. In a warm and happy atmosphere interaction began. Promises were made for developing the Bhadohi infrastructure to a high standard. But to our great dismay, nothing came out. Our hopes were shattered perhaps because in the following year, V P Singh no more held the Chief Minister’s chair.

The poor infrastructure of Bhadohi which is a center for all carpet related activity has always been a great cause of worry. Simply because the frequent visit of buyers made the exporters uneasy by their sarcastic query about the cause of the poor condition of its infrastructure especially of its potholed roads. Industry was worried and AICMA made innumerable presentation to both state and central government but nothing came mentionable.

Hopes of the industry was revived when, Mayawati, present Chief Minister UP, won the election with absolute majority only last month. In a huge press conference in the national capital she said that her “foremost priority will be to establish rules of law” and promised to make Uttar Pradesh “Uttam and Khushal Pradesh” (superior and prosperous state). And, people’s faith in her was strengthened when she got her own party MP arrested and suspended him from her own party soon after.

And, isn’t it the Maya Magic that babus’ attendance in government offices has become timely and there has been a visible change in the pace of all pending files. The newly nominated minister Rangnath Mishra and this area's MLA, Archana Saroj, has, in a public meet, promised that all roads will be complete within 3 months and erratic electric supply to this industrial town will be corrected. And lo! Soon after the work on road started and electric supply too has improved.

I hope Mayawati’s magic wand named “social engineering” will enchant not only the people of Uttar Pradesh but it will spread beyond engulfing the whole country and paving the way for her to the prime ministerial chair.

Handmade Carpets & Clean Energy

The intimidating approach of global warming is hair-raising. Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth is a proof. But that doesn’t mean there is no solution. Renowned scientists, all over the world, are burning their midnight oil to find solution of this problem. Within next twenty years we may see the contemporary combustible engines, the greatest polluter of environment, replaced with hybrid cars and then fuel cell cars – vehicles run by hydrogen – that generates no pollution in the environment.

Another invention to fight global warming is also expected within the next 20 years. Perhaps in less than 20 years, while traveling on highways we may find cluster of towers similar to windmills. These towers will trap carbon dioxide (CO2) – the byproduct produced by burning of fossil fuel and main cause of global warming – and send it deep underground.


But much more measures are needed to arrest advance of the lurking disaster. One of them is to produce clean energy, because conventional way of producing energy generates lots of pollution. The requirement of energy will be ten times more than what it is now after a couple of decades. Alternatives are being probed to produce clean energy.

In that dismal scenario it is a bit relieving to realize that clean energy is used in production of handmade carpets. After all what energy can be cleaner than human energy! That is labor of the weaver. Won’t it be then better that handmade carpets' or any handicrafts’ sale is promoted with more gusto?

The Product

The hand-knotted pile carpet probably originated in Central Asia between the 3^rd and 2^nd BC and arrived in India during Mughal period. Bhadohi happen to be a center simply because some people of an Iranian caravan while passing through GT road were, for health reason, compelled to settle in a near by village called Ghosian and started weaving this product. To day it has become an INR 3600 crores industry. Almost all the produce is exported out of India.

Besides having a social orientation, we are also committed to sell rugs made of natural materials only. The first product on offer is a shag rug. We have named it SilverMeadow. It is an all wool rug. See the image below:

The product is already having been tested in the market. A similar rug (not exactly the same) is sourced by a Sweden based chain stores in great quantity

Socially Oriented B-Plan

Handmade Indian Carpet & Rug Industry is about $900 million industry. Bhadohi, a district of Uttar Pradesh, is the hub of all activity related to this product. There are also other centers but Bhadohi is the oldest and its share is more than 50 per cent. It is an export oriented industry and almost all the produce is exported out of India. UK, USA, Canada and many countries of Europe used to be and still are its main market. However it’s expanding fast to other countries.

We aim to be a Merchant exporter. That would leave us from going into the hassles of manufacturing and allow us to exploit all possibilities of procuring the merchandise in great quantity.

Mission Statement

I established Aafriiinz with the sole aim of doing some common good to my people. In the beginning I intend to adopt our own village Nai Bazar (population: 15,000 plus). The idea is to make the environment of the town green, clean and healthy. Scores of residents are eager to volunteer and dedicate 100/200 hours in a year for this mission.

We feel certain that we can inspire people by showing them the way that would help them be not only financially literate but also how to be happy, healthy and be sensitive to social values.

An Unwelcome Trend

For over two millenia, carpets were made only with natural fibers consisting mainly wool and cotton. But in recent past an unwelcome trend has started in Indian carpet industry. Lots of carpets and rugs are being produced using synthetic fibers. In contemporary world it is more and more emphasized that humanity should return to nature and shun buying products made of unnatural fibers. Massive use of unnatural in carpets and other items, I believe, too has been a cause to global warming. Draft report of UN released on Friday 5 April, predicts dire consequences for humanity. In such a dismal scenario, Exporters would do a service to humanity if they advise their buyers against the purchase of carpets made of unnatural material. It would be great if buyers too stop buying such items.

Besides synthetic, viscose (rayon) is also very much consumed in carpet making. Of course it is a natural item processed from wood and cotton. Still its consumption should be avoided because of its polluting effect during its production. It is becoming less common because of the polluting effects of carbon disulfide and other by-products of the process that forced the closure of British Cellophane Ltd, a factory in Bridgwater, Somerset, England in 2005.

Hello World

Welcome to my new blog, a blog from The Bhadohi Carpet City (INDIA).

Bhadohi (Sant Ravidas Nagar) is well-known for wrong as well as for good reasons. The good thing about this industry is that it provides sustenance to the weaker section of society. Perhaps it, economically, is among the best-off states in Uttar Pradesh. Of the INR 3600 crores Indian handmade carpet industry, Bhadohi’s share is more than 50 per cent (estimate). It, being a cottage industry, is spread all sides of Bhadohi deep into the hinterland covering more than ten thousand Sq Kilometers.

Now the despicable: Thanks to the crusade of Kailash Satyarthi the presence of large scale child/bonded labor surfaced in late ‘80s. Of course it was/is abhorrent but, on the other hand, it provided an opportunity to NGOs (Non Governmental Organization) and other welfare entities to focus on this nastiness. To day there are many NGOs who are dedicated for their welfare. Prominent among them are CEPC, Rug Mark and Care & Fair.

It is not limited to NGOs only. Many Carpet Importers put pressure on carper exporters sticking to the social accountability norms. Among them IKEA of Sweden is the leader. Resultant many importers either have already got registered with SA and ISO or have applied for registration. But, to my best knowledge, most of them are only following a process to keep the records in order that would help keep them in the good books of buyers. A passion for doing some common good is missing. Otherwise, I believe, these kinds of good deeds seldom go unnoticed.

The need of the time is that established carpet dealers turn their entities into a Social Entrepreneurship and pursue the goals oriented towards social good.