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New Delhi: Sara
Pilot says she was amazed at the response to the just-concluded
Jamia Bazaar after her effort to provide a platform to the
underprivileged women of Jamia Nagar, who came out of their burqas
to showcase their talent, turned out to be a roaring success with
the participants earning good profits. The two-day exhibition,
organised by Sara Pilot and Lora Prabhu, her partner at the NGO
Centre for Equity and Inclusion (Cequin), concluded Monday at the
India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC).
"I am amazed at the response on the first day. There was no vacant
seat and people were cheering the ladies with applause and
whistles when they walked the ramp (at a fashion show held as part
of the event)," Sara Pilot, the wife of Minister of State for
Communications and IT Sachin Pilot, told IANS in an interview.
Some of the highlights of the exhibition were embroidered kurtis
and salwars, beaded bags, artefacts and other accessories made by
the women of Jamia Nagar, which lies in the lee of the prestigious
Jamia Millia Islamia university, and is dominated by Muslims.
Sarah Pilot even proudly displayed some of the garments.
"The women of this area have never attempted to test their
entrepreneurial skills, especially in hand-embroidered items.
Jamia Bazaar is the first such effort in the inclusive process and
we did it successfully," Sara Pilot said.
"The prices were kept minimal to get the best response from the
public. There was no cost for putting up the stalls. The fabrics
and materials used for making the garments were hand-made; so the
commercial viability factor was always there. Whatever money we
generated from the exhibition will go directly to the women of
Jamia Nagar," she said, adding the prices were kept between Rs.50
and Rs.800.
"This is the first time that women and girls of poor households of
Jamia Nagar got an opportunity to come out of their burqas and
showcase their talent. I was surprised to see their enthusiasm.
"Yes, there were some initial hiccups, but the girls, especially
from Muslim community, were so excited that eventually their
parents allowed them to be a part of this venture," said Sara
Pilot, who belongs to an influential political family.
Her father Farooq Abdullah, a former chief minister of Jammu and
Kashmir, is currently the minister for new and renewable energy in
the cabinet of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Her brother Omar
Abdullah is the present chief minister of the state.
Jamia Bazar also took care of people's taste buds as there were
food stalls selling mouth-watering kebabs and biryani.
Not only that, young girls were offering services like mehendi,
tattooing and nail art.
The participants were quite enthusiastic about the whole exercise
as they learnt quite a few business tricks over the two days.
Esha Rani, who had a stall there, shared her happiness, saying: "Inshallah!
Everything happened very smoothly and we were delighted to be part
of Jamia Bazaar. It gave us exposure and also an oppportunity to
learn marketing skills, especially on how to negotiate."
"We sold around 50 kurtis and a dozen salwar suits. Yes, the
bargaining for the garments was always there, but it was a
profitable business. I earned Rs.50 per piece. If given a chance,
I will definitely participate next time as well," she added
Another participant, Zaiba, said: "The first day proved fruitful
for me as I sold more than 65 earrings and neck pieces and that
also at market prices. The second day was a bit low on business,
but there was no loss."
Preeti Rathia, a beautician in Jamia Nagar, thanked Sara Pilot and
Lora Prabhu for providing such a platform, saying: "Logon ne
hamari kalakaari ko itna nawazza. (People really appreicated our
work.)."
A visibly pleased Sara Pilot said: "The long-term vision for this
project is to make a conscious effort to break out of gender
stereotypes and with the support of the Jamia women, we did it
gracefully."
Her husband, Sachin Pilot, was also there to encourage her,
saying: "I am proud to see Sara involving herself in such a noble
cause and supporting the ladies of Jamia. It's heart-warming to
see these ladies congratulating me for Sara's and Lora's work."
Jamia Bazaar was also an attempt to encourage more and more people
to visit the neighbourhood.
"People do not go to Jamia Nagar for food or shopping, especially
after the recent activities attributed to terrorists," said Lora
Prabhu.
Sara Pilot, who is also the sister of Jammu and Kashmir Chief
Minister Omar Abdullah, concurred. "For hand-embroidered salwars
or delicious biryani, Delhiites prefer Chandni Chowk."
(Nivedita
Sharma can be contacted at nivedita108@gmail.com)
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