New Delhi, 16 July (H.S.): Anju Kanwar from Rajasthan's Churu district has not only achieved self-reliance through the traditional Boondi Bandhej (tie-and-dye) craft but has also created sustainable livelihood opportunities for several women in her village.
A resident of Thelasar village in Churu district, Anju is using her craftsmanship to give Rajasthan's rich handloom and handicraft tradition a distinct identity across India and beyond.
Anju has set up a stall at the Ministry of Rural Development's exhibition pavilion during the four-day Bharat Tex 2026 being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The pavilion, titled Nari Shakti (Saras Shakti Collection), showcases a wide range of garments handcrafted by her.
Speaking to Hindusthan Samachar on Thursday, Anju said her work is entirely based on teamwork. She supplies raw fabric to women in the village, who carry out the intricate Bandhej tying process from their homes. Once the tying is completed, she personally undertakes the dyeing, finishing, and final processing of the fabric.
She said that nearly 30 to 35 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are currently active in her village, with each group comprising 10 women. As a result, more than 300 women are earning their livelihoods through this traditional craft.
Anju said the art of Bandhej and fabric dyeing has been passed down through generations in her family and is deeply rooted in Rajasthan's cultural heritage. Earlier, I was involved only in the Bandhej tying process. Over the last four to five years, I have established my own setup. Today, I manage everything myself—from dyeing and finishing to marketing and both online and offline sales, she said.
She credited Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad (Rajeevika) for providing opportunities to showcase her products on prestigious platforms across the country. She has participated in exhibitions in several districts of Rajasthan. According to Anju, her stall records sales worth ₹8 lakh to ₹10 lakh at major events such as Saras Mela, while other exhibitions generate an annual turnover of ₹4 lakh to ₹5 lakh. The business provides her with a monthly income of approximately ₹30,000 to ₹40,000.
The initiative aims to refine the skills of rural artisans in line with evolving market demands while creating new commercial opportunities for them.
Notably, the third edition of Bharat Tex 2026, being held from July 14 to 17, features an impressive display of the craftsmanship and entrepreneurial achievements of India's increasingly self-reliant rural women. As part of the special exhibition, the Nari Shakti (Saras Shakti Collection) gallery showcases premium handcrafted products created by the country's Lakhpati Didis, highlighting their contribution to rural entrepreneurship and women's empowerment.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
