ABOUT THE PROJECT

Mission Statement: Revival of languishing craft of Sujani through creation of next young and dynamic generation of artisans
Project ROSHANI, an initiative of the Bharuch District Administration and Deepak Phenolics (Deepak Foundation), and implemented by BharatCares (CSRBOX Foundation) marks the construction of the first standard prototype of the Sujani handloom after a long gap of 40 years.
ROSHANI Project is aimed at reviving more than 200 years old unique art of weaving Sujani based in Bharuch wherein weavers will be provided with forward-backward linkages, product standardization, value addition, and market development.

OVERVIEW

Cottage and Rural Industries have shown their impact on national and regional economies throughout the world. In both developed and developing countries, cottage and village industries have been recognized as an effective instrument for creating employment opportunities with a small amount of capital investment, equitable distribution of national income, balanced regional growth and development of rural and semi urban areas.
With the advent of industrialization, cottage and village industries have witnessed a decline. The sector, despite having economic and social significance, currently faces a number of threats and challenges hampering its growth.

CONTEXT

Bharuch, believed to be the second oldest city in India after Varanasi, holds a significant place in world trade and history due to its strategic location in the bay of Khambhat. One of its unique and time-honored identities is the 'Sujani' craft, renowned worldwide for its distinctive method of weaving quilt-like double-woven cloth, all achieved without a single stitch in the final product.
In the past, Bharuch boasted around 40-50 handlooms engaged in the art of Sujani weaving. Unfortunately, due to various factors, this art form now survives with only two families, both of whose members are aged above 50. The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated: without the immediate cultivation of a new generation of weavers, this art form might become extinct.
It is therefore imperative that the administration takes an active role in preserving and revitalizing the endangered art of Sujani weaving, securing its place for generations to come.