“It is not about free trade, but about fair trade”…thundered Roopa Mehta in response to my first question. Well, thundered probably is an intense word to use, as her soothing motherly appearance and soft voice often contradicts the strength and determination behind those words, but make no mistake. Strong and determined it was.
I met Roopa in a Trade Aid conference a few days back. She was in New Zealand as a board member of Sasha which is linked to Trade Aid. Visibly tired after a whirlwind tour of New Zealand, the lady from Kolkata was no less enthusiastic. Her voice displayed a perfect combination of emotional integrity and belief. And she looked satisfied with the response she was getting from the listeners.
“Craft has both socio-economic and cultural significance in India”, she said, “it is both aesthetically rich, and traditional…and very effective.” She would certainly know. She is on the Board of Sadhna, the handicrafts and income augmentation programme of Seva Mandir, Udaipur, on the Board of All India Artisans and Craftpersons Association (AIACA) New Delhi, and the Managing Trustee of Ruro Agro Services Association, a registered trust which develops natural agro based products, trains producers and identifies suitable markets. She is also on the Board of the World Fair Trade Organisation. “I learned from the pioneers of fair trade movement in Kolkata, when I was young”, she beamed.
Being an MBA from Delhi University with further professional qualifications in Social Communication, it seems seemless when she points out the economics behind the fair trade movement. “The need for an aesthetic green trend, and ethical consumption is becoming the norm, it is foolish not to catch that”…she mentioned. “When you see a MNC like Starbucks going for local crafts you know it is time.”
How is that going to work out? “Increased mobility in labour, products, services, ideas and money; indigenous knowledge and skills are reckoned as aids to society, and IPR actions: copyright, patenting and geographical indicators. These are the current global trends.”
“The consumer landscape is going to change in the next ten years”, she almost sounds reflective. “Indian handicrafts export is growing at a rate of 18% per annum, which is around 10 billion US dollars. The ever bourgeoning middle class would want a fair, simple, and gorgeous product…as the global choices change”. Does she visualize a future? “Why not? It will be creating opportunities for the marginalized, open and transparent dialogue and exchange of information, it promotes sound trading practices which go beyond just buying and selling but also respects the context in which producers and buyers work, and it safeguards the interests of all in the chain and are sustainable in the long run. Capacity building of the producers and their units on the one hand and responding to buyer and market needs is important again for long term sustainability.”
I finished with economics again. How will the markets react? “There’s internet. IT enabled information promotes greater reach. Visibility increases.” She sounds optimistic, “The partnership between Trade Aid and Sasha works to promote craft, craft skill and tradition. Every handmade product that is purchased restores dignity and pride and is not a charity.”
“Mechanical tools and appropriate technologies will increase productivity and performance. New socio-environmental regulations lay emphasis on using safe, recycled and ecologically sustainable materials.”
For the sake of the people working in handicrafts of both India and New Zealand, we certainly hope so.