Dipali Pramanik, Kolaghat Socio-Economic Welfare Services selected for the CII Woman Exemplar Award 2010- selection committee of CII Woman Exemplar Award, has awarded Ms Dipali Pramanik the CII Woman Exemplar Award 2010. Dipali has been selected for her inspiring work under the Micro Enterprise category. She will receive a medallion, citation and a cash award during CII’s National Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM). Dipali is a role model in her circle - the village, in the Sasha Textile Artisans' Association, and among the buyers who have met her and seen her group and their units. Her tenacity and dedication attracted other women from the village to join in, a small group of women which was disintegrating after formative years, has become a 35+ strong team. Dipali and Sasha feel overwhelmed! Dipali is particularly very happy about it and wholeheartedly grateful for Sasha’s support and guidance throughout the journey. She has made us proud. And we are thankful to CII for conferring this award to her and feel that it will not only give recognition to her wonderful work but re-energize her to do lot more.

Jewellery design workshop with Anwesha- A three-day jewellery workshop was held at Sasha on 2nd-4th March, 2010 with artisans from Anwesha Tribal Arts & Crafts. Artisans from Anwesha’s tribal jewellery community in Dhenkanal came to Kolkata for the workshop. The workshop, conducted over three days has resulted in an interesting range of tribal jewellery in contemporary styles; an exciting mix and match of dhokra beads in different shapes and sizes made into wristbands, armlets, long chains, bracelets, anklets, earrings etc. The workshop was conducted by our British designer Helen and facilitated by Sasha Craft Services. Anwesha, an NGO established in 1989, works with tribal artisans with various forms of crafts, mainly Dhokra. Anwesha acts as a bridge between the tribal artists and both the domestic as well as foreign marketplaces. Sasha has over the years facilitated this market access through exports, exhibitions and domestic sales, playing a crucial role in nurturing the creativity, labour and resources of the tribal craftspeople.

NZAID & Trade Aid review at Sasha- Trade Aid is a New Zealand based Fair Trade retailer, importer, wholesaler and development agency. They have a strategic partnership with NZAID (New Zealand Agency for International Development) and receive funding for some of their activities. Trade Aid and Sasha partnership go a long way. Using NZAID capacity building funds from Trade Aid, Sasha has been able to assist its producer partners to increase their skills, or strengthen their infrastructure to become stronger and more sustainable businesses- the cornerstone of Fair Trade. Recent activities have included training in production techniques; product development and promotion; market survey and access; purchase of tools and equipment for production or to increase workplace efficiency; marketing. In view of the above, representatives from NZAID-Mary Cretney and Alison Grey visited Sasha on 22nd March. The review consisted of utilization and impact of the support through informal discussions with Sasha and SSA representatives, producer partners (who received grant support) and visit to a producer organisation. The meeting was held at the Sasha Textile Artisan Association, which also received a financial support from Trade Aid for its building. Mary and Alison interacted with the producers- Brindaban Prints, Maa Monosha, Shilpi Shibir, Tiljala Panchannagram and Tantulia Kantha Shilpa. They also had discussions with the departmental heads on capacity building and business issues. Later they also visited the SSA office for an extensive discussion on Impact assessment and SSA activities. Mary and Alison also visited the Sasha office and Shop later in the day.

NZAID reviewers visit Asha Niketan- Mary Cretney and Alison Grey visited Asha Niketan at their Adi Bari premises to meet the inmates and the community workers. Asha Niketan is a community of ‘specially abled’ persons from economically weak background, working for their rehabilitation through health services, education and training. The inmates have been trained in making candles. The support provided to Asha Niketan was used to buy critical moulds which they required for a sizeable order from one of our Fair Trade partner for their newly designed candles. SSA facilitated iintervention of experts on mould making, cooling and production methods to optimise their resources; Fabrication of critical moulds; incorporating air-conditioning, reorganizing work space and putting in place certain systems; Some basic tools and equipments were provided in addition to it, a workshop for product development and skill up gradation was also organised.
Mary Cretney writes about their experience at Sasha from New Zealand-“We were impressed with Sasha's work and the very positive relationship you have developed with Trade Aid NZ. We also found the conversation we had about your impact assessment work very interesting and useful.”

Sasha Shop: Fair Trade Forum - India in partnership with HIVOS, Netherlands had organised “Fair Trade workshop for Agri-based Organisations"  on 13th & 14th March 2010 at UTC, Bangalore.  Subroto Dey and Bablu Sardar attended  the same. The workshop was aimed at expanding the Fair Trade non-craft producer base and market in India & abroad.

March 2010 was a month which saw Sasha grow from strength to strength as evidenced by the increased annual turnover.

The wide variety of handicrafts in the shop were highly appreciated by visitors from all parts of the globe as we received very encouraging comments.

E. Barbee wrote "Favourite store in Kolkata~! we visited three times in two weeks. Staff is wonderful and products are beautiful"
Krista Koleas commented "The most perfect gifts in Kolkata"
Sonia Coppel: "A great, shiny and lovable shop"

Our annual sale marking the end of the season was received very well and with the help of print media drew an enthusiastic response

Read the February Update by clicking here

Read the January Update by clicking here

Read more about sasha's Fair Trade Day Celebrations in Calcutta
Read about the Producer Group Meeting at Konark December 2009


Natural Dye Training at Dhaka

Read about all the events at the sasha 30 years celebrations - click on the links below

• Exhibition at Ice Skating Rink, Kolkata
• Workshops at Ice Skating Rink, Kolkata
• Design workshop
• Ei paar Oi paar Exhibition at ICCR, Kolkata
• Fair Trade Forum Seminar

Smiles by Helen