Since the concluding decades of the 21st century India’s rendezvous with the forces of globalisation has been phenomenal. As Indian economy opened up to the world economy there was also a simultaneous spurt in the urbanisation of the rather countrified Indian society.
However despite the cyclonic pace of urbanisation in India, only about 34 per cent of the total population of the country resides in urban areas presently. It’s almost like a living testimony to the words of Mahatma Gandhi when he said, “The soul of India lives in its villages”.
While globalisation has had innumerable upsides in terms of higher living standards for a sizeable chunk of indigenous populace and countless employment prospects, these benefits have certainly not accrued to all the communities alike. One grossly neglected sector happens to be the much underrated cottage industry of India. This neglect has manifested not just since the economic liberalisation of 1990s but right from the colonial rule over the Indian subcontinent.
The unique traditional artisanship of the rural people manufacturing various handicrafts with the use of simple tools and locally abundant raw materials, has been constantly declining in the face of a market composed of highly sophisticated factory made goods.
Since the historical period the unique silken, wooded and metallic handicrafts manufactured in India were a source of India’s prolific trade with the western and Arab world. This phenomenon which is globally referred to as proto industrialisation today, was pervasive in Indian society of that period.
Whether made for consumption or commercial needs, the locally made handicrafts were not just a source of domestic income but also an important symbol of India’s varied subcultures. In their artistic value they were collective expressions of local geography, lifestyles, religious beliefs, folkways and values of people inhabiting village communities and tribal regions.
The unique motifs, colours, engravings and designs of the handicrafts were a reflection of the culture of the myriad communities and tribes of Indian subcontinent. The sheer variety ranged from woollen products of mountainous belts of north and east India, ivory souvenirs of Mysore to cotton fabrics from Bengal.
The international demand and commercial appeal of these Indian handicrafts was a testimony to the beauty and mesmerising talent of the Indian craftsmen across centuries. However the policy of economic drain of Indian traditional economy practiced by British steadily pushed the Indian artisans into abysmal.
Most groups of craftsmen prolific in their crafts since generations had to flee back to agrarian sector for livelihood. With time the rapidly modernising Indian markets became increasingly addicted to modern and western goods. As a result in contemporary times, the cottage and small household industries in India are on the brink of extinction.
Inspite of being understated, the role of cottage industries in the economic and social development of India is very potent. Varied cottage industries of India including pottery, hosiery tanning, soap- making, toy-making, cutlery, cotton handloom industry, the silk weaving industry and the wool weaving have the capacity to generate employment for unskilled and semi skilled people besides utilising excess labour force.
This is a critical contribution given the magnitude of Indian population and gaps in formal education system. Apart from being an income source for the rural and suburbia poor, the environment friendly and technologically simple nature of cottage industries is an another boon. These enterprises make best possible use of locally abundant natural resources.
A little yet significant contribution of cottage and small scale industries is providing self empowerment to rural women. Given that no formal operational set up is needed for such work it is easier for women to participate in it alongside child rearing.
Women force employed in household enterprises like saree embroidery, jewellery making and papad across various small towns in India have often reported greater participation in decision making in families and communities affairs. A systematic development of cottage industries has potential to ameliorate the living standards and nutritional status of rural women and children.Cottage industry sector in India today faces a variety of problems that blunt their growth and restricts their expansion. Most critical issues nagging their growth are organisational weaknesses, technical deficiency, poor marketing facilities lack of government and private sector support. Modern India has been harbouring the false notion that cottage industries are destined to die in an age of machinery. This is far from the truth and with little attention from the government cottage and small scale industries can do wonders to Indian economic growth.
Mahatma Gandhi echoed the same sentiment when he repeatedly insisted on the development of khadi in modern India. Although the government has taken up a few initiatives for the sustenance of these industries through its 9th and 10th year economic plans, exclusively for the gems, coir and leather sector, it have not made any substantial improvement in their condition. Other important initiatives of the government are - Assistance to Coir Industrial Co-operative Societies, assistance for setting up of industries (Capital Investment Subsidy to SSI Units) and women entrepreneur development programme.
A developing country like India can barely progress without an encouraging aid from cottage industry. A change in mindset of people is as important as government sponsored programmes towards the systematic expansion of cottage industry sector.
Instead of being viewed as technologically inferior, it should be welcomed as engine of growth. Private companies should lend their hand by recruiting items of interior decoration, cutlery and furnishings from the rich and varied cottage industry made products. Development in the real sense of its meaning has to be all inclusive rather then lopsided or exclusionary. Only when the less advantaged and the prosperous grow in tandem can sustainable economic, social and cultural growth become a reality.
(The author is a retired civil servant)