Preamble

Sankalp Art & Handicrafts (A&H) are the natural expression of rural people, and have traditionally provided rural communities with employment and earning opportunities. However, the pressure of globalization and the forces of unprincipled modernization has forced a large number of rural artisans out of business. The emotive motion picture by Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, portraying the death throes of an entire class of rural entrepreneurs, is a poignant example that shows the dangers of being unprepared to meet the demands of the future.

However, at ARTS. we do not believe in looking backwards.

The future direction of trade and commerce points to one undisputable factor: "The customer is always right". Our rural handicrafts must not only deliver what the customer wants, but must deliver quality that the global customer demands. 'Quality' is a multidimensional animal that has several heads and tails, not the least of which is the ability to produce goods and service with little variation from customer specifications, and the ability to deliver these goods and services in a timely manner.

A major objective of Sankalp A&H is to provide a platform for the rural entrepreneur so that he or she may develop the necessary technical and management skills that will be needed to be successful in the uncompromising global market place. Currently our handicrafts strategy is to develop the following handicraft products:

§     Handmade Paper Products

§     Bamboo Handicrafts

§     Jute Handicrafts

HMPP is now fully operational. Our bamboo and jute handicrafts facilities are under construction.

Using the Internet, A&H will also collaborate with the Digital Imaging Service Center to promote the distribution of art and digital paintings, and with Sankalpa Publications to promote creative writers.

Handmade Paper Products (HMPP)

Sankalp handmade paper products (HMPP) are made of high quality handmade paper and are available in a wide range of colors, sizes and paper thickness. Some of the items that are manufactured bythe indigent people of Santinketan, Barasat and Calcutta are shown below:

HMPP Product Codification

Product codification for HMPP is essential for Internet marketing. The HMPP product codes will be made available on request. For instance, the code for a 'wine bottle' will be prefixed by 'CW_ _ _ _'

Digital Paintings

An Internet portal for distribution of paintings is under construction.

Creative Writing

An Internet portal for promoting creative writers is under construction.