Millatnagar Rakhi : Possible Design Interventions

The socio cultural, socio economic and socio-natural environments of the community influence the business of the community in several ways. The interventions do not only depend on what initiations can be taken to improve the current situation, but are also nested in the aspirations and ambitions
of the people residing there.

Hence the objective of any intervention should be overall growth and development of the community besides economic gains.

Some of the probable interventions may be as below-

• Product diversification –
  Various products that are used as a part of customs and traditions in the society like kumkum pouch , bandanwaar , fancy envelopes etc. may be explored. Since these products are not seasonal in nature as rakhis, and have higher perceived value, they would fetch better prices facilitating higher economic gains for the community.

• Collaborations –
  Forward and backward integration with companies like “Archies” for product branding and direct selling would offer a diverse point of sales to the products.
  Making Do It Yourself Kits with the left over material and selling the kits through retailers like Hobby Ideas will not only be the utilization of the available raw materials, but would also make them participate in teaching the handcraft of rakhi to enthusiasts and kids.
  
• Education –
  The community may be educated through various means like the local Madraasa as well as cable tv etc. about the environment cleanliness , personal and ecological hygiene, modern crafts like parching and quilling , techniques of financial savings , home science etc.
  
• The Madraasa Model-
  The local Madraasa in the community which is used as a resource center for amenities like water and a centre for imparting cultural and religious education to kids ;may be used as a platform for socio-cultural, socio economic as well as socio ecological development of the community. The elderly women of the community can get together and teach their skills of handcrafting to the younger generation. This will lead to increase in interactions and discussions within the community which is currently restricted within families. In terms of business, the entire job can be routed by the middle men to the community through the Madraasa and they will play a vital role in the process of responsible pricing and help the community get the right remuneration for the skill deployed in the craft. Further, above stated product diversifications may be adopted and can be furthered by venturing into Madraasa’s own retail outlet. The profit generated may be used to facilitate resources as well as community development. It may also be a source of community funds – an initiative that will run on the funds generated by the Madraasa to help the people in case of financial need by lending them money. The local cable tv operator may collaborate with Madrassa to promote the cause of - Develop , Design , Deploy and Discover - the self susatainable system for the community and use it not only as a cultural hub but an epicenter of economic , cultural and social upliftment of the community.