Hand-made wonders

Every year,various mahila bachat groups from across the city gather together for an annual Diwali fair which is organised at different locations a week before the festival. “Smita Tingre is the head of the Mahila Committee. She holds a meeting with all the different bachat gats 15 days before Diwali to plan the fair,” says Trupti Jadhav,a member of Ujjala Mahila Bachat Samiti,who has put up a stall of cosmetics. Hers is one among the 15 stalls lining a footpath stretch at Tingre Nagar. This space has been provided free of charge by the corporator of the area,Sunil Tingre.

The participating women sell cosmetics,handmade products and even items from their relatives’ or husbands’ shops. Ashwina Shendge from Ekta Bachat Gat,Tingre Nagar,sells sarees that she buys from a wholesaler at Khadki bazaar. “The sale isn’t very high. People stop by more out of curiosity,” she says.

A few stalls ahead is an attractive bangle stall. Says Baby Sheik,from Ekta Bachat Gat,”I have a bangle shop in Firozabad. I got the bangles transported here by truck. I have been quite lucky with sales. Passers-by always stop to make purchases,” she says.

Some of the women make the most of this opportunity to display and advertise their home-made products and services. Pallavi Gawas from Yojna Bachat Gat has displayed hand-made bags and cushions. “In three days,I have sold eight cushions and have even received orders for more,” she reveals.

Home-made scents,washing powder and washing liquid are on sale by Reshma Agarwal. “I usually put my products for display at my sister’s shop in Tingre Nagar. Here,I have also displayed products from her shop – plastic bangles and clips,” she says. Pratibha Humane has put up a stall of children’s clothing and kurtis stitched by her at her home in Bhairav Nagar. “Even if people don’t buy anything right now,they can contact me later if they need any tailoring services,” says Humane.

The fair gives these women a chance to display their talent as well as learn the art of salesmanship through this hands-on experience. “We would love such activities to take place throughout the year. It gives us an oppurtunity to earn money like the men of the house. It instills a sense of equality in the household.,” says Rajashree Galgangawan from Utkarsh Bachat Gat.