Artisan creating traditional hand block prints on naturally dyed cotton fabric

Translating Intent Into Action

Awareness activities for the general public that foster Dialogue, Learning and Participation

Illustration of multiple skeins of yarn hanging from a wooden drying rack, arranged in a row and suspended from hooks along a horizontal pole.

Working with the larger Community

Grounded in practice and participation, our activities focus on meaningful engagement, combining dialogue, research and documentation to respond to real needs and strengthen the communities we work with. Desi trust is involved in various activities that help spread awareness about the challenges in the handmade sector and work towards a collective, holistic solution across the various sectors of sustainable living.

Activists and designers at the Bangalore International Centre discussing Mahatma Gandhi Vastrodyama to improve handloom market access and weaver livelihoods

Mahatma Gandhi Vastrodyama: Weaving Insights on Handloom Day

On 3 August 2024, Desi Trust hosted Mahatma Gandhi Vastrodyama: Weaving Insights on Handloom Day at the Bangalore International Centre. The session focused on the state of the handloom sector in Karnataka and the growing challenges faced by weavers due to lack of market access, policy stagnation, and design intervention. Bringing together activists, designers, and social practitioners, the discussion reflected on the gap between intent and implementation in initiatives meant to support handloom livelihoods.

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Sunday Samvaada Series

The Sunday Samvaada Series is a recurring dialogue platform hosted by Desi Trust at the Desi Store, Girinagar, Bengaluru. Conceived as an open forum for conversations on sustainability, livelihoods, culture, and ethical living, the series brings together practitioners, artisans, designers, activists, and thinkers from diverse fields. The series explored interconnected themes of handloom traditions, rural livelihoods, wildlife conservation, food systems, architecture, clothing, and performing arts, each session offering grounded perspectives rooted in lived experience and practice.

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Desi Kāryāgāra : Workshops at Desi

With a view of promoting working with our hands and to also improve community outreach, Desi Trust conducts monthly workshops at Desi Stores. The workshops are conducted by various artists, craft practitioners and are meant for beginners. Through the course of a session, the participant learns the basics of a craft, is able to make and take home a piece of craft. These workshops aim to introduce some traditional crafts, working with natural materials and promote handmade. It is enjoyable as a group activity as well as deeply personal and therapeutic.

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Sharada Ganesh of Desi Trust participating in the India Land Development Conference panel to discuss youth, land governance, and rural livelihoods.

Panel Discussion on Youth and Inclusive Land Governance at the India Land Development Conference

On 30–31 May 2025, Desi Trust participated in a panel discussion at the Regional Workshop of the India Land Development Conference (ILDC), held at Ashirwad, St. Mark’s Road. Sharada Ganesh represented Desi Trust in a panel on Youth and Inclusive Land Governance. The session brought together activists, practitioners, and students engaged in land rights and social justice. It created a space to reflect on generational perspectives, marginalised voices, and regional differences in land governance.

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