How a training camp for 60 to 70 women became a cluster of more than 400.
The Raisen Zari Zardosi Silaai Kadhaai Cluster at village Mendki is our largest and longest commitment.
From hand work at home to a shared centre
In 2017-18, with support from the Ministry of Textiles, we carried out a baseline survey and mobilisation of artisans in Badi block of Raisen district.
In 2019-20 we held a training camp at Mendki, in Sanchi tehsil, attended by 60 to 70 women who did zari and embroidery by hand in their homes. We promised them a common workplace in their own village, raw material, machines and a market, and that the project would be for women only.
On 15 January 2020 the Scheme Steering Committee of SFURTI, under the Ministry of MSME, approved the cluster for 418 artisans with Pratibha Foundation as Implementing Agency. The artisans’ own body, Pratibha Silai Kadai Karigar Kalyan Samiti, was registered on 21 August 2020 to run it.
The cluster today
400+
women associated with the cluster
130+
machines for stitching, cutting, washing and pressing
300+
embroidery frames
5
fashion brands produce here
The centre stitches, embroiders and finishes garments for Kara clo, Ithiha, Karomia, The NES Studio and SLO.
The journey of the cluster, in pictures
From a craft awareness programme in 2019 to a working centre with orders from five brands.
2019: Craft awareness
A two-day craft awareness programme brings the artisans of the area together for the first time.
2019-20: Training camp
Women who did zari and embroidery at home train together at Mendki. We promise them a shared workplace, machines and a market.
2020: SFURTI approval
The cluster is approved on 15 January for 418 artisans. The artisans’ own Samiti is registered on 21 August and work on the centre begins.
2021: The centre opens
The shed is ready, the machines are installed and the women move from their homes to the production floor.
2021-22: Camps and festivals
A handicraft camp in September 2021, the Udaan Festival on Makar Sankranti 2022 and a two-week training programme in July 2022. A study tour visits the centre in July 2023.
April 2025: 12A registration
The Samiti is granted 12A registration under the Income Tax Act.
Today: five brands
More than 400 women are associated with the cluster, which cuts, stitches and embroiders for five fashion brands: Kara clo, The NES Studio, Karomia, Ithiha and SLO.
What we did at Mendki, by date
- Five-day Entrepreneurship Development Programme (2 to 6 December)Mendki, Raisen
- Study tour at the Mendki centreMendki, Raisen
- Two-week training programme (7 to 24 July)Mendki, Raisen
- Udaan Festival on Makar Sankranti (two days)Mendki, Raisen
- Handicraft campMendki, Raisen
- Craft awareness programme (two days)
