[Reader-list] Slum-based manufacturing

[hpp at vsnl.com]

STRUCTURAL UPGRADATION OF BLIGHTED SLUM-BASED MANUFACTURING IN METROPOLITAN CALCUTTA
 

V Ramaswamy
Calcutta

Basti or slum-based manufacturing  in metropolitan Calcutta employs a few hundreds of thousands of people. Garments, footwear, paper-crafts, zari-work - are just some of the sectors where slum-based production is very significant. The trades themselves are in poor health, with lack of skill upgradation, lack of technological upgradation, lack of access to credit, poor marketing, dominance of middlemen, poor returns to owners, low wages to workers, child labour, severe cashflow problems etc being some of the key features.

If the situation in the trade can be improved, in a structural sense, focusing on the most strategic aspects, then that would be a means to improve the livelihoods of large numbers of people. 
 
Studying the nature, structure and conditions of these trades is a fundamental task, and a basis for planning interventions aimed at structurally improving the fortunes of the trades.

Following upon the research study, a pilot project could be taken up to implement the recommendations in a specific area. Thus, e.g. a local technology, skill development, design and marketing centre could be started in an area where a trade is concentrated. 

Establishing one such centre could have a significant demonstration effect, across trades and across slum localities, and in process terms.

A specific trade could be taken up for a strategic action-research exercise. 

Institutionalisation is also called for. There should be an institute based in Calcutta which is committed to a long-term programme of research and action engagement with slum-based manufacturing, towards securing the livelihoods of the city's labouring poor.
 
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A preliminary survey was recently initiated in collaboration with Massey University, New Zealand and the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta. The idea is to use this information to develop a proposal for a more elaborate in-depth study, for submission to an international  bilateral funding agency. 
 
An effort is also being made to bring to the fold institutions, organisations and individuals in Calcutta and elsewhere who are interested in this work and could contribute to it.
 
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In this connection, on Wednesday evening I visited Alifnagar, a Muslim basti in Metiabruz. The whole basti - which lives in another time and place altogether, yet coexists with us worldly people and our city - works on making kites, which are supplied all over north India. This has been going on for years. Thousands of people, men, women and children are involved in this work. But the whole trade is in a depressed state, livelihoods are insecure, the future is bleak. 
 
So many kites, kites somehow evoke the image of children, happy children; kites fly so high in the blue sky, bringing delight to children. But so many thousands of children who are involved in the making of thse kites - are in a not-so-happy plight!
 
I was filled with dismay reflecting on why so few people in my city knew let alone cared about Alifnagar; why no research institution had any engagement with Alifnagar or any other manufacturing bastis; why institutes, professors and students of business management had no link with such bastis and trades... 
 
But Alifnagar is a vital part of the city's and country's economy!
 
The recently announced Sarai fellowship could conceivably be used by someone to study the kite-making trade in Alifnagar, Metiabruz. I would be glad to lend all support to anyone who takes this up.