The menace of plastic pollution is a worrisome issue around the globe. Trying to make her contribution to save the planet from drowning in plastic, Saloni Sacheti, saw an opportunity in upskilling the tribal artisans from the district of Dang, Gujarat in making bamboo products of utilitarian use and connecting them with the mainstream market.
Saloni Sacheti launched Baansuli which is a social enterprise that is generating livelihood through eco-friendly products and helping skilled artisans sell their beautiful handcrafted jewellery to an urban clientele and be economically empowered.
Saloni hails from Alwar, Rajasthan. The first woman of the family to move out of the town to pursue her education Saloni has definitely been the bright star of the family. She had a well-set career and was about to get engaged when her lifelong dream started taking shape.
While sharing her entrepreneurial journey, Saloni told, “I am born into the Marwari Jain family in Alwar, Rajasthan. I did my schooling in Rajasthan and then went to Delhi to do my graduation. I Did B. A Hons philosophy from Indraprastha college for women, Delhi university. I am the 1st female in my house to study in Delhi or anywhere outside my hometown. I was highly active during my college days in all sorts of activities, was president of the Philosophy association, and was also awarded the best student. I was active in theatre activities also. After my graduation, I went to Banaras Hindu University to pursue LL.B., and that makes me 1st generation lawyer. During my LL.B. I did an internship in places like MKSS and NCW and various rural areas to study the rural community. After graduation, I was placed in a law firm in dealing, which was dealing with electricity laws. I am a trained Kathak dancer and love meeting new people and learning through them. I initiated Baansuli to give livelihood options to tribal and to promote handicrafts and tribal skills. Artisans who were then indulged in manual labour, and trying to migrate, started working with Baansuli to revive the art and culture and earn a livelihood, and further stop migrating. Coming from a non-design background, I was never less a designer. I always wanted our customers to buy our jewellery because of its appeal, not just because of its cause. When people stop at our counter, seeing beautiful jewellery, and buy them, my reward and seeing my artisans happy are my award. We have won the 3M CII Young Innovator Challenge Award, Best start-up award by NIRD and Ministry of Rural Development, Top 18 Social Innovator by PIC NCSI, and women entrepreneur in the social sector by Dainik Nav Jyoti.”
While throwing light about her social enterprise Saloni explained, “Bamboo Artisan Socio-Economic Upliftment Initiative (Baansuli), is also an acronym of two words, i.e. Beans means “Bamboo “and Hansuli is “A jewellery pattern “. So Baansuli is jewellery made from Bamboo and is a social enterprise that economically empowers the group of tribal artisans making handcrafted contemporary bamboo jewellery in the district of Dang, Gujarat. Baansuli produces handcrafted jewelry from locally sourced bamboo in one of the poorest pockets of Gujarat, where the majority population belongs to indigenous tribes. We specialize in uniquely handcrafted bamboo Jewellery and other home décor and home utility products made from locally sourced variety of Manvel bamboo, here in Dangs. All our jewellery undergoes quality check for appearance after wash and color fastness. The bamboo used for the purpose undergoes Chemical Preservation Treatment for durability and protection against organic decay.”
“The methodology adopted under the objective is of community inclusive designing. The aim is to create authentic and contemporary designs in jewellery and eco and user-friendly for the consumers. These intricately designed handcrafted jewellery are extremely light weight and affordable. The uniqueness of our designs, high quality and fineness of the produce are the specialization of our artisans. In jewellery we use techniques of blue lamp, splitting, quiling and weaving makes the jewellery authentic. The combinations of above-mentioned techniques with semi-precious stones, beads, german silver, tussles etc makes them contemporary and trendy. Baansuli has a wide range of beautiful authentic and contemporary neckpieces, earrings, bracelets etc. The USP is Durability, light weight, finish, contemporary which severs both western and Indian outfits.Home and utility products is amalgamation of style and tradition,” she explained further.
A unique quality about Baansuli jewellery is that it is way more durable than other bamboo products.
“Usually, after the monsoons, bamboo becomes prone to fungal growth. To avoid this and make the jewellery and products durable, we treat the bamboo sticks. A product bought for Rs 100 or Rs 150 is of no value if you wear it only once or twice and it loses durability in a few months. The tagline for Baansuli is ‘Jewellery that has to be treasured for life’. And we want our customers to feel the same,” Saloni concluded.
The story of Saloni Sacheti is truly remarkable. Each handmade product has its story and when you support traditional crafts, you help artisans to pass on their skills to the next generation and keep our arts and crafts alive.
