Blogs

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Women working at Charaka picture by Lokesh Mosale

4 Jun 2026

Weaving Livelihoods in Times of Climate Crisis: The Role of Rural Youth-based Collectives ↗

At a time when land degradation, climate catastrophes, and shrinking rural livelihoods threaten the future of millions, the recent ILDC Regional Workshop on Land held in Bengaluru brought together voices from the grassroots. The stories shared—from community-led land governance to youth-led livelihood innovation—echoed a growing consensus: reclaiming the commons and restoring dignity in rural work is essential. One such story, from the village of Heggodu in Karnataka, offers powerful insights into how crafts-based collectives can spark rural regeneration, empower women, and revive local economies.

28 May 2026

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.

21 May 2026

Educational Interaction with Students of Yale University ↗

An intimate learning session that brought together students, practitioners, and researchers to explore farming, women entrepreneurship, artisan livelihoods, and mental health.

21 May 2026

Educational Session on Climate Change and Rural Livelihoods with Students of Seattle University ↗

An immersive learning session that introduced students to climate change through lived rural realities connecting policy, livelihoods, women-led enterprises, and hands-on craft practice.

Industry experts and sustainability advocates at Samagata Foundation discussing ethical fashion, climate accountability, and artisan-centered production systems.

21 May 2026

Panel Discussion on Sustainable Clothing: Bridging the Gap Between Demand and Supply ↗

A reflective panel discussion that examined sustainable clothing beyond trends and certifications locating it within questions of justice, climate accountability, and the future of India’s handmade textile systems.

21 May 2026

Sustainable Choices and Rural Livelihoods in the Era of Climate Change ↗

A reflective account of a seminar that brought together researchers, practitioners, designers, and activists to examine how climate change, ethical markets, and rural livelihoods are deeply interconnected and why sustainability must remain grounded in dignity and justice.

21 May 2026

Supporting Weavers and Dyers in Bagalkot ↗

Phase 2 of the Livelihood of Weavers in North Karnataka project focused on extending livelihood support to traditional weavers and dyers in Bagalkot district. Implemented in 2015–16 with support from the Deshpande Foundation, the initiative aimed to provide year-round employment, skill upgradation, and stable market linkages for artisans in the region.

Traditional handloom weavers gathered inside a weaving workshop in Gadag

21 May 2026

Expanding Handloom Livelihoods in Gadag ↗

This project focused on strengthening the livelihoods of traditional handloom weavers in Gadag district, North Karnataka. Implemented in 2014–15 with support from the Deshpande Foundation, the initiative aimed to expand the local weaving cluster by onboarding new weavers, improving working practices and building a foundation for sustainable growth.

Construction of the Shivamogga Naturally Dyed Handloom Cluster facility

21 May 2026

Strengthening Natural Dye Handloom Livelihoods in Shivamogga ↗

The Shivamogga Naturally Dyed Handloom Cluster was a major scale-up initiative under the SFURTI scheme, aimed at transforming the Sagar handloom region into a nationally distinctive cluster for naturally dyed handwoven textiles. Implemented between 2019 and 2022, the project focused on skill upgradation, design innovation and market expansion to secure sustainable livelihoods for weavers.

21 May 2026

Building a Handloom Cluster in Sagar ↗

The Sagar Handloom Cluster was one of Desi Trust’s early large-scale interventions aimed at strengthening handloom livelihoods in the Malnad region of Karnataka. Implemented between 2009 and 2012, the project focused on building a sustainable cluster of weavers around the Charaka Women’s Co-operative Society in Sagar taluk, Shivamogga district.

21 May 2026

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. Throughout 2024, 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.

Communities and activists gathering at the Badanavalu Satyagraha to promote Gandhian values of sustainable living and ethical production.

12 May 2026

Badanavalu Satyagraha: A Collective Call for Sustainable Living ↗

The Badanavalu Satyagraha marked a significant expansion of the Kaimagga Satyagraha, evolving it from a sector-specific struggle into a wider, values-driven movement. The campaign brought together organisations and collectives working across sustainability spanning agriculture, environment, labour, gender, language, folklore, culture, education, khadi, and handlooms under a shared ethical framework. At its heart was a simple yet powerful idea: sustainability must be lived jointly by producers and consumers, villages and cities alike.

Prasanna leading the GST Satyagraha protest at Bangalore Town Hall to demand zero tax on handmade goods and protect artisan livelihoods.

12 May 2026

GST Satyagraha for Handmade Products ↗

The GST Satyagraha was a nationwide civil resistance demanding 0% GST on handmade products, led by Grama Seva Sangha in association with the All India Federation of Handloom Organisations, with Desi Trust playing an active and visible role. At its core, the movement sought to hold the State accountable to a constitutional promise: protecting livelihoods rooted in skill, labour, and sustainable production.

12 May 2026

Friends of the Handloom ↗

Friends of the Handloom emerged as a collective expression of solidarity with the handloom movement, bringing together influential voices from the worlds of art, education, design, and public life. At a time when handloom livelihoods were under severe strain, the initiative sought to shift the conversation beyond policy rooms into cultural, intellectual, and civic spaces where public opinion is shaped.

Karnataka handloom weavers and Desi Trust during the Kaimagga Satyagraha protest for artisan rights and fair textile policies.

7 May 2026

Kaimagga (Handloom) Satyagraha ↗

Kaimagga Satyagraha was a sustained, non-violent protest led by handloom weavers across Karnataka, with solidarity from weavers in the Seemandhra region. Rooted in Gandhian methods of resistance, the movement unfolded over the course of a year and included hunger strikes and padayatras quiet but resolute acts that drew attention to a deepening livelihood crisis in the handloom sector.

25 Oct 2025

Handwoven Textiles: History and Present – An Interactive Awareness Session at Ohana Community School ↗

On 25 October 2025, Desi Trust conducted an interactive awareness session on Handwoven Textiles: Their History and Present for teachers at Ohana Community School, Kengeri. Led by Sharada Ganesh, the session introduced educators to the history of handwoven textiles in India and their relevance in the present context of climate change and fast fashion. The discussion focused on materials, processes, and distinctions between different textile traditions. Designed as an interactive engagement, the session encouraged dialogue and hands-on learning.

31 May 2025

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.

21 May 2025

Sunday Samvaada Series 2025 ↗

The Sunday Samvaada Series continued in 2025 as a platform for meaningful conversations at Desi Store spaces in Bengaluru and Mysuru. Rooted in dialogue, storytelling, and shared learning, the series brought together farmers, writers, conservationists, educators, and children to explore themes of sustainability, biodiversity, agriculture, and ways of seeing the world differently. Each session reflected Desi Trust’s commitment to creating accessible spaces where knowledge from the ground up is valued and shared.

3 May 2024

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. The event highlighted the urgency of addressing the handloom sector’s declining conditions as a matter of livelihood security rather than cultural symbolism.