Scripting Success: From Making Rotis To Making 'Bead Malas' For Taj Hotel, These Women Exhale Self-Reliance

By Dr. Vanita Srivastava

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Rukmini's 30x 30 feet courtyard of her ancestral house - a few minutes away from the Sanchi Stupa bustles with activity. A group of 10 women, most in mid- thirties - wear a cherubic smile while giving a last touch to their hand made products. Behind their sitting area, the green coloured wall has a beautifully etched painting of Lord Shiva, made by Rukmani's daughter.

Before they start their work the women offer prayers to this hand painted Shiva.

The nearly 1000 odd 'beaded garlands' lying at a stone's throw have to be embellished with the tag of Taj Hotel - - after which they would be transported.

The 'Narmada Mati Mala' as it is called has been an essential ingredient of the Taj Hotel in Bhopal since the last several months. These beaded 'malas' are a part of the welcome 'thali' for the visitors to the hotel.

The women, sometimes even more than 10 come daily at the 'work station' after completing their household work. And it is not just the work that keeps them glued. The non-stop jabber oscillates from household problems, dealing with husbands and sometimes the purchases they have made from their income. This does not end here - the work has germinated into something beyond. They go together on an 'all women trip' to fairs and exhibitions - something that was strictly prohibited so far.

These women get, on an average Rs 10,000 per month for their business acumen. The amount varies depending on the orders.

"This has been a life changing chapter for me. My confidence has boosted, I can talk with visitors and most importantly my family members have started recognizing my worth ," says 32-year-old Rukmini, a fifth pass.

Pushpa Ahirwar,37, and educated till the 10th grade is elated on her changed status from a housewife to a businesswoman.

"This bead making has metamorphosed my personality. It is a new life for me," she says.

Dittos 34-year-old Maya Ahirwar.

"Stepping out of the house has been mentally rejuvenating," she says.

Mud to Beads

The process starts well before the actual bead making.

The women go in trolleys to the adjoining Budhni Ghat and dig out mud, pack them in bags and bring then back. The mud is then watered, kneaded to carve out the beads. The long thin mud trips are rolled into the machine - and from them are dished out the rotund beads with an impeccable geometry which then are brushed on a comb to stitch the designs.

"This kind of designing has been innovated us. It is our patent. Earlier we used to pen which was cumbersome and sloppy," says Pushpa.

The beads once adorned with the designs are pricked with 'agarbatti', rolled out for drying and finally baked. "The baking process is a little tricky as a little excess can cause charring."

They are then intricately woven in a thread, tagged and dispatched to the hotel.

The bead business has got a jumpstart all because of the efforts of the MP Tourism Board. The Safe Tourism Destination for Women project initiated by the Board aims to create a women friendly environment and boost inclusive tourism ensuring women safety. The project also seeks to boost women's workforce participation through skill development and employment opportunities, particularly in tourism related sectors.

Manju Sharma Executive Director of Samarth Sansathan - the nodal agency for skilling the women feels that this has a 'learning' experience even for her.

"We were asked by the Board to skill 600 women in 5 destinations in different categories and also ensure their employability. I have seen how these women are now keeping account of their money. There has been a sea change in their communication skills."

Akhilesh Patel, Materials Manager at the Taj Lakefront Bhopal maintains that this has been a truly empowering project. "We get around 3000 such malas in a month. I am so happy that this has been able to provide employment to the local population. In the future we can even broaden it to other areas."

This is just one story of women empowerment. A start has been made. Many such narratives will follow.