Gramin Vikas Evam Chetna Sansthan

To empower rural women and foster their financial independence, it is crucial for them to take charge of selling their own products. Therefore, GVCS’s training programs encompass a diverse range of marketing skills, including communication with buyers, negotiation techniques, technical knowledge, and transaction handling. GVCS takes pride in having provided training to more than 2000 rural women. Today, these once illiterate rural women are traversing the nation, independently marketing and selling their products.

The organization is compelled to conduct regular awareness workshops due to the increased incidence of suicide attempts among rural women, higher illiteracy rates, female foeticide, and the persistence of child marriages. GVCS’s workshops encompass a wide range of topics, including women's rights awareness, human rights, the significance of education, digital literacy programs, and the prohibition of child marriages. In addition to our ongoing income generation programs, these workshops empower rural women to take control of their destinies, enabling them to make independent choices rather than depending on others.

In the past, rural households in the desert region lacked access to electricity and running water. Residents had to undertake long journeys to fetch water from distant wells, and they performed household tasks in darkness, which adversely affected their eyesight.
GVCS launched a campaign to distribute solar lights to over 5000 homes in several villages within the Barmer district. This initiative has had a profound impact, progressively enhancing the educational opportunities for children and enabling them to study effectively. Additionally, it has empowered rural women to engage in productive work even after sunset.

GVCS has provided over 3000 sewing machines to empower rural women to become self-sufficient. With these machines, they can launch their own home-based businesses by sewing clothes for neighbouring households, thereby earning their own income.
This initiative serves as a catalyst in fostering their entrepreneurial spirit and allows them to embark on their journey as independent entrepreneurs in a way that best suits their needs and aspirations.

In recent years, the art of appliqué was at risk of fading into obscurity, primarily due to the limited skill set of women artisans. Unfair wages had compelled artisans to prioritize quantity over the quality of their craft. When GVCS was established, a significant challenge was to provide comprehensive training to these artisans, enabling them to advocate for fair compensation and expand their reach to international markets.
GVCS takes pride in having trained over 11,000 rural women thus far, and it remains dedicated to extending this training to all other rural women. The goal is to empower them, fostering independence and self-sufficiency.

When the organization's president, Ruma Devi, initially embarked on this journey, she personally adorned fabrics with needle and thread, lacking the equipment to produce finished products. Ruma Devi's own journey of perseverance inspired GVCS to undertake the task of training rural women in stitching skills. This training empowers them to sew garments for nearby households and for their own use, enabling them to earn and save money.
GVCS has successfully imparted stitching training to over 1000 rural women, who have since become self-reliant and self-sufficient.

Rural women artisans had long been creating appliqué craft products with traditional designs, which had caused a slowdown in demand for such items in the market. Recognizing the need for diverse design development, these artisans received training, and new product lines were introduced using different fabrics. This revitalized the popularity of appliqué craft products in the market.
Today, over 500 master artisans have undergone comprehensive training, equipping them to work with various types of fabric, conduct sampling, and launch these products on a larger scale.

In the innovative phase of crafting products, a campaign was launched to showcase the artisans and their craft through fashion show runways. Illiterate rural women have transcended the confines of their homes, breaking free from the prevailing 'Parda Pratha.' The artisans' participation in runway shows alongside models has not only earned them recognition as designers but has also established their identity on a global scale.
Under the leadership of Ruma Devi, this mission has graced over 30 fashion shows worldwide.

Ruma Devi has earned the title of an International Fashion Designer for her groundbreaking innovations in traditional craft techniques. Her innovations have extended beyond field activities and have made significant contributions to the fashion industry. Ruma Devi's innovative designs in this craft have astounded renowned designers in the industry. This wave of innovation sparked reverse migration, drawing celebrated designers to Barmer to have their collections produced in this unique craft-centric location.

In 2010, Ruma Devi, the president of the organization, took the initiative to organize a nationwide series of exhibitions. She embarked on a journey from city to city, personally selling the craft products in search of a direct market. This direct approach connected the artisans' craft products directly to the market, eliminating the need for middlemen.
As a result, artisans affiliated with GVCS now travel across the nation, actively participating in exhibitions and independently selling their craft products. These rural women, who had never ventured beyond the boundaries of their homes before, now confidently navigate mega cities. These artisans have taken part in more than 100 exhibitions nationwide.

People residing in remote rural areas often encounter challenges when it comes to addressing eye-related issues. The rural population frequently struggles to access eye check-ups and treatment due to the considerable distances involved and economic limitations. To address this issue, GVCS initiated a door-to-door eye screening campaign in the rural regions of Barmer, making it more convenient for rural residents to connect with clinics and doctors.
GVCS achieved remarkable success in reaching the most remote areas of the district, conducting over 20,000 outpatient departments (OPDs), and distributing eyeglasses to those in need, encompassing more than 80 villages.

Acknowledging the crucial importance of timely healthcare in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, GVCS took the initiative to extend healthcare services to every village in Barmer.
Based on this vision, GVCS launched mobile medical health camps that brought healthcare directly to the doorsteps of rural communities.
By serving over 25,000 rural beneficiaries and visiting more than 100 villages, it has effectively delivered healthcare to those in need.

Inspired by her own experience of limited education and having to drop out of school in 8th grade, Ruma Devi is committed to ensuring that no other student in the Barmer region faces the same challenge due to financial constraints.
Annually, 50 students from rural areas of Barmer will receive a scholarship of Rs. 25,000 per year. The scholarship is designed with a community-oriented, need-based approach and is open to students in the fields of Education, Art & Craft, and Sports.

When the pandemic disrupted the livelihoods of artisans, it became evident that digital literacy was crucial to connect them with the world and their customers.
Over 300 artisans have received digital literacy training, and more than 225 artisans and community leaders have been provided with smartphones to facilitate this connection.