Thank you for engaging me in this chain of ideas regarding the Varanasi weavers crisis. May I also include a few ideas that could set off some more thinking and networking processes.

- Small beginnings for Benarasi weavers: Finding new equations in the changing markets Can we think of involving NGO's associated with microfinance perhaps based on the Grameen Bank model such as SKS microfinance (Vikram Akula) or Basix ( Vijay Mahajan) or PRADAN to help outline a user friendly microfinance/social venture capital project self supported and managed by the artisans to help themselves. This may not be restricted to weaving activity, but may also look at the larger issues of the community such as access to education, health, resource conservation and allied income generation activities identified through well managed participatory rural appraisals. The craft needs to be made attractive as an economic option. At the same time immediate subsistence needs of the weavers need to be met. Perhaps through such social venture capital schemes, the community at large will be motivated and encouraged to take up economic activities which will supplement their income and eventually also help revive the fund flow in the producer society. Perhaps we will lose a large number of weavers to new professions, but an economic flow will be generated and the few weavers who decide to revive their craft may be able to generate livelihoods through the current limited market demands. Eventually if the craft does become an attractive economic option with all the planned market and design support, new individuals, particularly the younger generation will take up the activity again.

You can access these links for more information on microfinance and NGOs working in such areas:

http://www.basixindia.com/sustainable_rural_livelihoods.asp
http://www.sksindia.com/products.htm
http://www.pradan.net