’I learned sign language for them’

Designer Krishna Mehta talks about her social project

"Mostly deaf and dumb men and women," says Krishna. To teach them the crafts of block printing and embroidery, Krishna says she had a tough time. "Since they can't hear, I had to tap them on the shoulder and explain things. It was difficult explaining intricate designs, so I drew them on the blackboard," she says.

Krishna even learnt sign language to help her communicate with her wards. "It was a unique experience. Each colour has a different sign. Also, while block printing, I had to guide them to use more pressure, less pressure."
The initiative was started in November 2007.

And now, more than a year of training later, the members 20 boys and girls in the age group of 20 to 22 are ready to market their products. Recalls Krishna, "Since my husband is from Palanpur, community gave me the premises on low rent. I have been visiting Palanpur every 15 days since then."u00a0

About the need to start this initiative, she says, "There wasn't much for them to do. I thought instead of waiting around for funds, they should be self-reliant. They have abilities. And then, perhaps 10 years down the line, I may not have the energy to do something like this. Today, I have so many avenues to sell their merchandise."

Krishna has used their work in the last two seasons of Fashion Week. After that, she got orders from Delhi. "But we were very late in the delivery. I believe that when you get commissioned certain orders, you have to deliver on time. One of the orders got majorly messed up. There were printing mistakes. I think it was too pre-mature to make the team take on actual orders. So, I pulled back because I thought I should make them work at their own pace. Now they are ready."

The process
Selection and training: Krishna Mehta placed an ad in the newspaper and got 180 responses. She selected these 20. "I had space for only 15, but I took on 20 because they had talents," she says. In two-three months, the selected 20 learnt the trade. By the fourth month, they started printing. "Now they are at par with any best block printer there is," says Krishna.
Renumeration: "They were paid from day one. "They can earn from Rs 2,000 to 10,000 and are paid at par with any normal person," says Krishna.

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