god vishwakarma

Deity of all craftsmen

"The lord of the arts, executor of a

thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of the

gods, the most eminent of artisans, the

fashioner of all ornaments ... and a great

and immortal god."

He has four hands, wears a crown, loads

of gold jewelry, and holds a water-pot, a

book, a noose and craftsman's tools in his

hands.

“Shikhalkari”

“Shikhalkari in Jalna”

Population in Jalna……………….. 588

No. of Families………………………. 121

Most of them live in Area near Shivaji Putla, called Guru Govindsing Nagar. Jalna.

“Historical Perspective.”

Shikhalkaris were weapon makers and weapon & tools sharpeners for Sikh Religious Army.

Came to Maharashtra with their Gurus when Guru GranthSahib Nanded was established

Also worked with freedom fighters

Created lot of trouble for British Army.

Were treated as criminal tribe by British.

After independence started traditional tool and iron works.

Small Crime and Theft kept them isolated from main stream.

Traditional Products Made By Shikalkaris.

Kadhai . ( Shallow Frying Pan )

Traditional Products Made By Shikalkaris.

Vegetable cutters

Traditional Products Made By Shikalkaris.

Traditional Products Made By Shikalkari.

Traditional Products Made By Shikalkari.

Skill Set

Sheet Metal Work and light Metal Work mainly by Hand Tools.

Skill Set

Sheet Metal Work and light Metal Work mainly by Hand Tools.

Skill Set

Sheet Metal Work and light Metal Work mainly by Hand Tools.

Traditional Tools.

Traditional Tools.

Traditional Tools.

Traditional Tools.

Traditional Tools.

Traditional Tools.

Families to support

Death Of Market for Traditional Products.

Rise of Stainless Steel, Aluminium & Plastic

Their Problems.• Decline in Market for Traditional Products.• Rise in cost of Scrape Steel which is main input.• No skill up-gradation with time.• Isolated from main stream because of “Criminal Tag”.• Denial of Employment Opportunities by Public & Private Sector.• Educationally backward.

Strengths.....

With all the odds today Shikhalkari Survives because.• Working with Iron is in their blood. Word “Aalas” ( Laziness ) not in their dictionary. • Participation by Women in Economic activity.• Work hard with basic instinct of Survival.• Respect for Religion.

Not Just SurvivalCan we help them to enjoy

Life with dignity?

Solution ?

What we can do

Technical Training&

Modern Hand Tools

Technical Training for Youth

• Help all 10 th pass students to get admission in Govt. ITI courses.• Training in Welding / Fitting / Forging by Private Training Centre.• Placing them with Industry for Skill Development.

Provide Modern Toolsto improve

finish & productivity

• Provide them with modern tools and small machines.

Improving Finish & Productivity by modern tools

Improving Finish & Productivity by modern tools

Improving Finish & Productivity by modern tools

Think

ThinkWhat I can do.

Join Hand

Sunil Raithatha , sunil@vinodrai.comSuresh Lahoti , suresh_lahoti@yahoo.comSuresh Kesapurkar, suresh9111@rediffmail.comSunilji Goyal , viratsai@yahoo.co.inDatta Waugh