Gramin Vikas Evam Chetna Sansthan

Envisioning the empowerment and upliftment of the rural and deprived communities, a seed was sown on 7th July 1998, known as Gramin Vikas Evam Chetan Read moreSansthan (GVCS) in Barmer, Rajasthan. It is a non-governmental, not for profit social welfare association, founded for the enablement of women, to strengthen artisans through crafts promotion and livelihood generation as the core, preservation and promotion of folk songs and folk music. GVCS motto serves “To empower women artisans, to reinstate their value and to make handicraft a viable means of home-based employment.” The idea was to give women financial independence while they work from their home with fulfilling their family responsibilities. With the sheer determination, commitment, and leadership, GVCS commenced with just 10 members has today become a large organization providing livelihood to more than 22,000 women across 75 villages. This growing network of women artisans engaged in different craft forms has helped GVCS to work on a broad spectrum of rural development activities. Formation of SHGs, fodder for drought-affected cattle, and education programmes for children and women are other initiatives of the organisation. GVCS reckons that every individual can realize his/ her potential when allowed to participate in the process of decision- making and empowers every individual to exercise their right to expression towards enhancing organizational efficiency. Upholding its commitment to the rural development and women empowerment, GVCS justly symbolizes as the organisation for the artisans and by the artisans.

Gramin Vikas Evam Chetna Sansthan functions to bring all round development of human society by providing livelihood, education and well-being to communities irrespective of caste, class, ethnicity and gender. It promotes women empowerment and rural development by creating awareness of human rights and self-worth. Our vision is to create a society void of exploitation and deprivation of any kind.

How a family of 10 members has reached to more than 30,000+ members today. Gramin Vikas Evam Chetna Sansthan (GVCS) was established on 7th July, 1998 and has been working on a broad spectrum of rural development activities since then. By joining their forces Ruma Devi & Vikram Singh started working together with the motto being, ‘To empower Women Artisans to Reinstate Their value and to make Handicraft as a viable means of creating home-based employment for women artisans.
Earlier we used to go to the houses during field visits, then people used to close the doors of the house, we did not even talk to the people,
The men used to think that we are provoking the women of the house, have come to break the family. But now the same women come to us on their own and participate in the training programs. Those women who are not educated are getting employment sitting at home. She is not dependent on the men of the house for her needs.

Story of Sugdi Devi
A story of a woman from a small village called Dhanau, a faithful wife, a loving mother, who stitched her world around with just a needle & some thread. Having to keep things going on with just her husband earning for the whole family was hard. She realized early on that it wasn’t going to be enough to continue to educate her kids while running her household.
When she learned about Ruma Devi she decided to contact her and put her skills and knowledge about embroidery to a good use. Ruma Devi like always willingly took Sugdi Devi under her shadow and trained, build her skills and made her a Master trainer for applique and embroidery work.
After starting to work and earn under GVCS she was able to educate her kids and is able to see the accomplish in their lives right now. Her elder daughter Hemlata did BSTC, and now she is doing a government job as a teacher. Jagdish is in Civil defense. Durga is in BA final year and her youngest son Ravi is doing BBA in vadodara. Seeing her dedication her husband also started giving his 100% to his work.
Sugdi Devi did not just earn a spotlight in the hearts of her family members but earned a spotlight on stage alongside Ruma Devi, joining her in numerous fashion shows around India. She was also honoured by the District administration on the 15th of August 2019. Being literate might be very important but it is not always the thing which directs the future. Sometimes just having the knowledge about your skills helps too. It certainly never stopped Sugdi Devi from sharing her knowledge about applique & embroidery. Sharing her skills through workshops she is helping many other women like her to stand on their own feet. When she started training women in a small village called Mana she used to only earn 2-3Rs. a day now she is going to be earning a big amount of sum around 1lakh for her teachings.

Being from a conservative family who came to India from Sindh, Pakistan during the partition did not stop her at any point of her life. Her story will inspire and motivate many women to stand up on their feet as it has always.
Story of two sisters
Ruma Devi Sugani Devi Akshara scholarship was awarded 25000 annually. Under the scholarship Mumal Meher resident of kanasar village of Barmer Simant district benefited. Mumal talent has given a new flight to the dreams of our village girls. A video of Mumal playing in the village school which is being liked a lot in social sites. 14-year-old Mumal Meher is studying in 8th class. His father Mouther Khan is a farmer. The economic condition of her family is not good.
This emerging talent of Barmer is not background in lack of physical resources so GVCS has encouraged this further of cricket by reiterating its commitment to rural areas.
Mumal’s cousin Anisa Bano the under 19 state player who has benefited from 25k-25k scholarships twice in a row from Akshara scholarship scheme. After seeing Anisha, Mumal has also advanced in the field of sports.
Now other girls will be increased by looking at Mumal. She will also move forward prepare well for cricket in holidays.
3 years ago we had in our mind that we have lot of talent in Barmer but it is hidden due to lack of resources. To make the same lack of resources stadium is being built in Chawa village, in Barmer District (Rajasthan).