The Adani Foundation is working to empower the Kotwaliya tribe of Pingot village, Gujarat by providing training and market linkage support. The skilled weavers of this primitive tribe have been creating beautiful baskets and other artefacts using locally sourced bamboo for ages. However, they face challenges due to a lack of awareness and support, and sell their products through exploitative middlemen who do not adopt fair pricing methods.
The Foundation's intervention in October last year has brought awareness among the Kotwaliya community, and so far 15 women and five men have been identified for support. They will soon receive modern equipment to increase the quantity and quality of their products. The group formation process has also begun, and the identified men will be utilized as resource persons to sell the products.
Usha Mishra, the Dahej Unit CSR head of the Foundation, said that the Kotwaliya tribe faces various challenges in procuring raw materials from the forest due to the Joint Forest Management Committee's insufficient constitution. But the Foundation's support has brought hope to the Kotwaliyas, who attended an exhibition-cum-training class in Bharuch and earned around Rs 700 on a single day.
Mishra further added that the Kotwaliya tribe will be registered under the government's livelihood mission and will be eligible for a revolving fund of Rs 30,000 once their group is formed. They can then open their own shops at the block level, and the Adani Foundation has already received a purchase order for corporate gifting. The Foundation's efforts will take time to show results, but they are positive about the tribe's upliftment.
The Adani Foundation's work for the Kotwaliya tribe is a step towards empowering indigenous communities and primitive tribes in the nation-building process. Strengthening grassroots and supporting local entrepreneurs will contribute to the overall growth of the country.
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