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.