Adani Foundation offers platform to Kotwaliya Artisans

Ahmedabad : The talented women artisans of the Kotwaliya Samaj from Hazira’s coastal area and Umarpada in Surat district recently had a golden opportunity to showcase their traditional handicrafts at two prominent fairs in Ahmedabad and Surat. Organized in collaboration with Adani Foundation, these events offered the artisans a valuable platform to display and sell their unique crafts, resulting in substantial income.

The first fair, titled ‘Sathwaro,’ was an initiative by the Adani Foundation to highlight India’s rich artistic and architectural heritage. It took place at the prestigious Belvedere Golf and Country Club in Adani Shantigram, Ahmedabad. Following this, five women’s self-help groups from villages like Vanswa, Damka, Barbodhan, Ambeta, and Sadrapani participated in another exhibition held in Surat. The Surat fair was organized by the Sarvodaya Mahila Charitable Trust at Sneh Samsalk Wadi, with the support of Adani Foundation, Hazira.

The artisans from the Kotwaliya community displayed a range of handcrafted items, including chaniyacholi (traditional garments), fabric and oxidized jewelry, candles, costume jewelry, and bamboo work. Their stall attracted a large number of visitors, including Dr. Priti Adani, chairperson of the Adani Foundation, who personally purchased some of the handcrafted items during her visit to the Ahmedabad fair.

These exhibitions not only provided the artisans a platform to sell their products but also helped them gain valuable insights into customer preferences, packaging, marketing, and pricing. The direct interaction with customers boosted the artisans’ confidence and enabled them to enhance their business skills, thereby improving the overall presentation and sale of their crafts.

The Kotwaliya women’s self-help groups earned more than ₹2 lakh in total from these fairs, providing a much-needed boost to their income ahead of Diwali. The initiative by the Adani Foundation is a significant step toward supporting and promoting local handicrafts while helping to uplift the economic status of the Kotwaliya women artisans. By participating in such exhibitions, these women have not only earned an income but also taken a major step towards long-term empowerment and financial independence.