Meet Arshad
My story goes back to when I was 12 or 13 years old growing up in the old city of Delhi in India. I’d just learned about co-operatives and how the farmers of India had been helped by such organisations. I had also seen first-hand how small artisans and their handicrafts were dwindling. Wood and clay and other natural materials were making way for cheap plastics. The consumers seemed to prefer this “convenience”. So, at that time, I thought of setting up something similar for artisans once I grew up.
But then, as they say, life happens. I trained and entered the field of Information Technology working in a myriad of roles from trainer, programmer, manager to director. However, after spending over 20 successful years in the IT industry, I decided it was time to go back to my childhood dream. Something that I have always thought about. And so Ethiqana began taking shape way back in 2016.
My inclination was turned into resolve when I read about the plight of artisan toymakers of Channapatna in the south of India. Their livelihoods and age old craft are almost on the brink of extinction due to the flood of cheap plastic toys. So, I decided to start my journey there in 2017.
Ethiqana’s story has just begun. I certainly hope that I will be able to add a few more chapters to it over time. Of course, the ethos will always remain the same.
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