So this is a wonderful story that I want to share with all of you via Aparna Krishnan
#PaalaguttapalleBags is a venture that was born out of sheer necessity, exactly the way things happen in a village economy. People look out for options to earn, not to hoard, but for everyday living.
With failing rains, polluted rivers, costly seeds, pesticides, love for imported plant products, and constant migration issues, people from Dalitwada were having great trouble to make the ends meet.
It was an organic decision to stitch bags, for giving some economical boost to few women whom Aparna knew. Lots of help and doubts poured in from all sides, slowly orders came in, the ladies perfected their products, more ladies joined, they went outstation to exhibitions, bought new saris for themselves, made sure that husbands got their medicines and children got their food, new designs came, new machines came, media recognition and awards came. Love and sisterhood and humanity triumphed.
Finally this latest update, that support us going to come with the earnest interest of government staff from postal service. India post is economical and quite reliable and when they decide to pitch in to reach the most interior villages in India so that they do not lose their lion share in transportation, that is when we achieve #MakeInIndia It is no political propaganda, it is the need of the people, supported by the people, by the government departments, who are the face of the people.
Aparna Akka, wonderful to see this, and proud to re-share this
Postmaster General, Kurnool, Srilata Garu.
And the Paalaguttapalle Bags team.
And the Paalaguttapalle Bags team.
Roopas phone call, "Postmaster Garu has come. Will you talk ?", and she put the phone on speaker.
Srilata Garu, "Namaste madam. I have heard a lot about this group and wanted to visit. I was going with my team from Chittoor to Tirupati, and I decided to come this way.
The women are so confident. The way they have explained the whole process to me shows that they understand all details.
I actually also came to see if I could help them. This is such an interior village. They explained to me how they handle the postings. Walking, some distance by bus, some shared auto. How much time. How much expense also.
I will see if the delivery service from the post office can be reached to them. They also explained how for every screen print order they need to travel to Tirupati to collect the print out, after which they prepare the screen in the village. Let me see if some government delivery service can be used.
I am so impressed at how they have built this up from nothing. And the quality they maintain. And how nicely they work together."
We had a conversation on the speaker phone. The team, she, me. She agreed that this was a remarkable effort that had lessons for the state. On how production can be moved to villages. Strengthening village economies.
"Their products are world class", she said.
... and then the women also told her about #JeevaniMilk, which she was very interested to hear about.
(Morning ...
Roopa, "Madam, we got a call from the Tirupati head post office. The head madam has heard about us, they said and she wants to visit us. They confirmed that she will be coming at 11."
"Great, Roopa. You all show them your work. Discuss. Work out orders. Take charge of your business completely !"
"Yes madam, we have kept all samples to show to visitors in a separate bag. Visitors come without announcing."
It's a nice feeling to know that we are redundant, unnecessary ... )
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