K.K.M. HANDWEAVING KURU KSHETR MANDAL ANNUAL REPORT 2016-2017
K.K.M. HANDWEAVING KURUKSHETR MANDAL NALAPANI ROAD DEHRA DUN (U.K) 248001, INDIA Tel: 0091 135 2781276 E-mail: kkmhandweaving@yahoo.com Dear Friends, Namaste to you all, from everyone of KKM family! We take the opportunity once again to write about our life and activities of our rehabilitation centres to earn our living with self-respect. We strive hard to keep the work going maintaining our quality production of handwoven textiles. We gratefully remember our founder Late Agnes Kunze Mataji, from Munich, Germany, who came to Dehra Dun to take care of a group of Leprosy afflicted and spent her whole life for the cause of Leprosy Rehabilitation work. She took the initiative of making the people affected by leprosy, isolated from the society and physically weak to be productive. Mr. Klaus Becker also joined in the efforts of Agnes Mataji, he was a multi-talented engineer. He used his skill and introduced looms, spinning wheels and other simple machines necessary in the long chain of weaving process. Many other volunteers and Agnes Mataji s friends have contributed in setting up the small industry. The small beginning made by Agnes Mataji developed into a home industry. In the year 1967 Pierre Reyniers joined in the mission of Mataji. In 1971, our Federative Society in the name of K.K.M. Handweaving was registered and we got the licence to export our textile products. The great day came when we received the first order from Oxfam and thus we earned the status of manufacturer - exporter. The number of men and women working under our Society reached up to 260 by the year 1996 when we celebrated our Silver Jubilee. The present population is 130, out of them 15 are disabled and 115 are workers, living and working in the four groups of K.K.M. Some people had returned to their previous, more lucrative way of life as leprosy beggars, some groups disintegrated after internal feuds and broke away and some of them were re-grouped. Modern treatment for leprosy has reduced the number of patients with physical deformities. Stigma against the disease has reduced in the community to an extent. But those who have no access to medical aid, especially in the remote villages of our mountain region keep coming to us, very few in early stages and most of them in badly crippled state. In the year 1998 Agnes Mataji had left us for her heavenly abode, her close colleague since 1967, Pierre Reyniers had taken up the responsibility of the heavy burden, a responsibility of the eldest brother of the family, in the true Indian tradition. Now it is almost 20 years, our work continues as ever, with the assistance of Rumal Singh, Madan Singh, Rajender Singh, Kishan Lal, Madho Singh, Hukum Singh and Noel, well experienced in their respective jobs. The untimely deaths of our men of multiple talents and abilities, Tula
Bahadur, Matwar Singh and Santosh Ram in their matured age has been a great loss to KKM. Their absence will always be felt by our team. But a gradual reduction in our number of workers and the decline in physical abilities due to old age has continued to affect our efficiency. Thanks to our good friends at World Shops, Cooperatives and Trade Partners who are always playing a vital role in selling our products and making a consideration in allowing enough time for us to produce and supply. It is not possible for us to attempt newer techniques nor complicated weaving procedures but we have to keep to our conventional version of textiles known to be KKM products. It is never possible for leprosy rehabilitation centres like ours to achieve complete selfsufficiency entirely through cottage-home industries. Dependence on support is in dispensable for survival. Sustenance of our working people as well as old and disabled consists of free housing, medical care, food-rations, cash allowances and children support. Optimistic we always are, we hope to be able to maintain a consistency in our earningthrough work and limit our dependency to a decent level. A special word of thanks to each and every one working with us in friendly cooperation and all the friends who come to see our work and our way of life. Our deep gratitude for every kind of support we always receive, year after year. Noel (Gen. Secretary) Rumal Singh (President) Shipping Report - Kurukshetr Mandal Parcel/Packet/Bale 118 Shipment: Post & Freight 53 KRIPAON KI MATA LEPROSY COLONY (2016 2017) Total number of persons: 68 (Men: 25, Women: 43, Children: 4, Retired: 5) Greetings from the people of Kripaon Ki Mata (Lady of Graces) Colony. This colony was started in 1962 by Late Archbishop B. Evangelisti, Bishop of Meerut to settle a group of homeless Leprosy patients. In the same year Miss Agnes Kunze of Munich, Germany came to this place to work as a social worker. She with the help and financial support from her friends and volunteers set up a handweaving workshop which would enable the people to earn their living and lead a respectful life in the society. We are continuing her vision till date. We have made efforts throughout the year to complete our textile orders and supply ready products in good quality. Thanks to K.K.M. Handweaving society for providing us with enough orders to work all the year round. Our production value was almost equal as compared to previous year. Repair of the boundary wall and initial common toilet which served for more than 50 years was done during the year.
Our medical workers Satyam and Ram Dular are looking after the health care needs of our people. An old lady Shantimani took voluntary retirement due to her old age. She was spinning no. 5 yarn used for bedcovers, tablemats, cushion covers etc. This year two women Lila Devi and Sarasvati underwent cataract eye surgery, while, Madan Singh had a leg bypass surgery, which saved his leg from amputation. We are thankful to Pierre ji for the financial support towards his surgery. Our 4 children- Timothy, Stuti, Pooja and Nandini go to nearby schools. The parents are supported for their children s education and upkeep. All our workers are provided with their basic needs along with stipends. Our workshop managers are doing their best for the smooth running of the workshop. During the year we have welcomed and enjoyed the visits of friends from different countries, who have seen our work and our life closely. We pray to God that He may grant good health to our Pierre Bhai ji that he may continue to serve the people of whole KKM in the times to come. We are also thankful to the Director of the colony, Rev. Fr. Valerian Pinto, St. Francis church, Dehra Dun for his administration and care for our people, assisted by Rev. Fr. John. -Gopal Singh KRIPAON KI MATA LEPROSY COLONY PRODUCTION REPORT (2016 2017) Weaving : Spinning : Cotton Handloom: Cotton: Count kg Fabric-Natural/colour 1992 m Ambar yarn 38.500 Dish Towel Cloth 1698 m No. 5 65.015 Loom Nivar (Tape) 658 m No. 3 144.275 No. 2 210.925 No. 1 573.825 Total spinners 12 1032.540 Made up Products: Scarf 283 pcs Dyeing: 525.000 kg Bed Cover/Tablecloth 616 pcs Tailoring 4289.000pcs Tablemat/Runner,Napkin, Number of workers 63 DishTowel,CushionCover, Retired 5 Bag, Towel 3056 pcs Total population 68 Inkle woven Braid 707 pcs
NAVJIVAN GRAM (2016-2017) Total number of persons : 17 (Men:6, Women:11, Children:2, Retired:3) Greetings from the people of Navjivan Gram (New Life Village) group. Our men and women have worked at the same pace throughout the year, trying hard to keep up the levels of our production. We produced many sorts of textiles according to the orders received from Kurukshetr Mandal. Our women spin ambar yarn on ambar charkhas for our famous ambar cloth, which is very much appreciated by customers. We have 14 working people and 3 are retired. The retired and the sick are very well taken care of by the neighbours and family members. Out of the two sons (Deepak and Sohan) of Kishan Ram, Deepak elder brother of Sohan has gone to a boarding school to continue his studies there. His younger brother Sohan goes to a school near to his home. Lakshmi daughter of Joga Ram has completed her course of Nurse training and now working in a hospital, thanks to Kurukshetr Mandal and Pierre Bhai ji for the assistance towards her training. In spite of all our efforts in our ability, income from our home industry is not enough to cover all the expenses on our modest living. Kurukshetr Mandal is always providing us with many subsidies, we can never do without, we are grateful. Our thanks to Kurukshetr Mandal and to Pierre Bhaiji for the support and care of the people of our colony. We are thankful to our dear friends for their support and encouragement through their visits and orders. Lakhi Ram Kish an Lal NAVJIVAN GRAM TEXTILE PRODUCTION REPORT (2016-2017) Cotton Spinning: Cotton weaving: Yarn on Kisan Charkha(count 5) 122.600 kg Table mat/table runner/ On Ambar Charkha 167.600 kg Napkin 521 pcs Total Cotton Spun 290.200 kg Bag Cloth 78 m Bed cover/tablecloth Fabric 179 pcs 1038 m Number of workers 14 Retired 3 Total population 17
TARA PARBAT LEPROSY PROJECT (2016-2017) Total number of persons : 16 (Men: 8, Women: 8, Children: 1, Retired: 2) Namaste from the people of Tara Parbat (Star Mountain). During the year our work went normally and we were able to produce enough supply for the textile orders we received. We produced durries in different sizes, fabric with ambar yarn and cloth for our own use. Out of our total population of 16 people, 2 are old and retired. Jung Bahadur and Tika Ram are retired and they stay at home. We take good care of our retired and aged. This year two of our ladies Parvati Devi and Bhagirathi Devi underwent cataract eye surgery and Pingla Devi had an operation for Gall Bladder stone. All have recovered and are feeling better. We are thankful to KKM for extra financial assistance towards these medical expenses. A lady (Tulsi Devi) left our colony on her own will to restart her new life in a new place. She worked and lived with us for more than 20 years. She spun thick yarns for durries. Our good wishes for her new beginning. Ravina daughter of Mijan Singh goes to school, she studies in class X. We were happy with the visits of many friends, they have seen and appreciated our work and living conditions. Our thanks to Kurukshetr Mandal for all their help and support and to Pierre Bhaiji for the extra care he is taking for us. Hukum Singh Madho Singh TARA PARBAT TEXTILE PRODUCTION REPORT (2016-2017) CottonSpinning: Durrie yarn 1867.000 kg Fabric 389 m Ambar yarn 22.000 kg Bed cover/tablecloth 178 pcs Total Cotton Spun 1889.000 kg Looms operating 4 Ambar Charkha 1 Weaving: Kisan Charkha 6 Handspun Durries (5 sizes) 999 pcs Number of workers 14 Retired 2 Total population 16 BRAHMAPURI LEPROSY REHABILITATION CENTRE (2016-2017) Total number of persons: 29 (Men 17, Women 12, Children:4, Retired:5) Greetings from the people of Brahmapuri. We received orders from Kurukshetr Mandal throughout the year. We produced cotton and woolen durries in different sizes and fabric for our own use. For the dyeing work we employ a worker from outside and continue to supply dyed yarns to our other groups. Out of the 9 looms only 6 are running as our population has decreased very much over the years, the number of aged people has also increased, thus reducing our working
capacity. An old lady who had left our colony and went back to her village couldn t adjust herself with her family and came back. Now she has again started working. A lady and a man died due to old age. Minor repairs and maintenance continued throughout the year. Sivananda Ashram and another philanthropic society support us with food rations. We are thankful to them for their continued support over the years. Medical and health care services always play a vital part in our area where our majority is very old and we are 8 km away from town, without an easy transport. We are thankful to Jai Ram and Lakshmi for their medical services. Shakuntala and Champa, both sisters have completed their nurse training course and are working in a hospital. Whenever they are here with us they assist our medical workers in the dispensary. Our children Preeti and Prem are studying in Raphael children s hostel and Pooja and Pradeep are studying in a boarding in Haridwar. Our thanks to Kurukshetr Mandal and Pierre Bhaiji for everything he is doing for us for years and years, may God give him good health. Our thanks and good wishes to all our good friends for their love, help and support for us all the time. BRAHMAPURI L.R.C.PRODUCTION REPORT (2016 2017) -Rajender Singh (Raju) Cotton Spinning: 1023 kg Wool : Woven: Spun : 27.000 kg Handspun Durries 4 sizes 805 pcs Woven Fabrics for home use 262 m Handspun Durries 30 pcs Cushioncover cloth 120 m Designed Tape 226 m Inkle Ribbon & Card woven 233 pcs Dyed yarns 977 kg Delivered to KKM 76 kg Looms operating 6 Tailored: Ruck-sacs, Shoulder bags, Super market bags, 165 pcs Number of workers 24 Press & Zip bags, Pen purses 185 pcs Old & Retired 5 Cushion Covers 90 pcs Total population 29
Senior Treasury Adviser s note: As one can gather from KKM Member-groups reports, nothing much happened out the ordinary, though the work activities dwindled much more, employing still 115 ex-patients out of a total of 130 people, and thus causing a serious deficit. The irony being they are still more productive than the present textile orders require but which are dwindling themselves! This puts us in a position of accumulating valuable stocks, with raw material costs and processing plus-value, immobilizing some usable resources. However, this point is not so important as, in all cases, we must carry on with the main basic living expenses, which could even shoot up in case of work being stopped: our people then developing psycho-somatic ailments due to sudden idleness The world s newest technology embraced by the Indian Government is too fast for us living mostly in the previous century s know how world, and craftsmanship techniques are not changing at all over the decades With a handful of old educated people, the coming months are a challenge under the online demanded high-tech facilities, but without KKM administrators and based on fragile outside infrastructure. Also, knowing that after the huge demonetization drive we handled without harm, the GST (complete change of Tax Structure planned for July), is likely to start with the usual confusion by bureaucrats! Fortunately, we have the immense support of partners, and a week-long friendly in-depth visit by our steadfast friends from Munich showed our supporters concern about the permanence of the KKM enterprise and soul searching is on. For us, however, daily acts should answer daily necessities, in dignity. -Pierre Reyniers Klaus own designed Latrines 1966