Chaksimultala village 90km south west of Kolkata - In 1972 a medical student called Lalit Khanra decided to help improve the health and standard of living of the people in his ancestral village. So the Chhandabrati society was created. It supports local artisans and producers. Chhandabrati means “Rhythm of Life”.

The weavers’ main trading partner is Sasha, an Indian Fair Trade company. Shared Earth has bought from Sasha for many years. The weavers have moved to a new workshed. Today the society supports local farmers, 12 weavers and around 35 women who prepare spools, bobbins, and other related activities. Handicraft and weaving, and respect for manual skills have long been supported in India. But the job of improving the lives of the weavers and their families is not finished. The weavers are struggling to be good neighbours. Their yarn dyeing process is polluting the soil and the local ponds.

Shared Earth is supporting Sasha’s programme to provide a new waste water treatment plant so that village life can continue in harmony!

Since the Chhandabrati association was formed 46 years ago, to improve the lives of villagers, the world has moved on. The dyeing station used to colour their yarns is no longer fit for purpose, the soil is stained a dozen colours and the spilled dyes are polluting the nearby pond.

With Shared Earth’s financial support a waste water treatment plant will be created where for now there are now only weeds. It will protect ponds and the water table. Trees will be planted. And, if enough money is found, there is also a programme to bring solar power to the village.