The women came after a long day. To Chittoor, SC Corporation.
To discuss what is possible for them as a group, to move forward.
After the article in The Hindu, the department sent an assistant to the village to check them out. Yesterday they called and requested and fixed a meeting today. And set out at 6 in the morning.
They took along a collection of bags. And paper cuttings.
They said the E.O. was very cordial. Seated them for a long discussion. Told them that there are many schemes they can avail of.He also the told them that he was also an SC and understood their issues well, and would be with them completely.
He said he was very impressed that women from such a remote village had achieved such a name for quality. His assistant who had come had given him a description of overgrown oaths to the village !
The women grumbled that they had to deal with the same questions about us, how we are in this village, why we chose to come here etc. We came up in their discussions about how the bag business started and grew. Annapurna, "You please give us a complete story, on why you came here, what made you want to come and stay etc. We are asked that all the time.," That is one of the hardest questions for me to answer ...
They now will register formally, after getting their caste certificates this week.
A super meeting, they said.
Women, given a stick, can leverage and shake the earth.
Setting out to meet the SC Commission officers in the Collectorate. To discuss the bags, and further engagement with the government if possible.
They have links to the articles on their bags in The Hindu, and the Indian Express. Turiya reading and translating the articles to them.
They have a smart phone that a friend ordered for the grouup. Roopa will show the collector the articles on that. As we don't have copies.
They have a list of suggestions on hi the group can be assisted in the government schemes. Starting with their need for good machines. They current cheapest models that the are not able to take the wear and tear of stitching the canvas cloth of the #VegetableCompartmentBags. And also, they all get chronic backaches with the strain.
They don't ask me to come along. And I don't think of offering to go along. They are fully capable of discussing with the officers and presenting their case.
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