Browsing by Author "Parkar, Shruti"

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    Empowering Rural Artisans: Enhancing Livelihoods And Preserving Heritage Through Glpc’s Mission Mangalam, With Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company
    (MICA, 2025) Sivakumar, Niranjhan; Parekh, Pushtii; Khanna, Prithvi; Singh, Neeharika; Vadhavkar, Shaunak; Parkar, Shruti; Kumar, Mayank; Bhavin Sonal
    The MICA Rural Immersion Program is designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world applications by assigning student teams to work with organizations actively involved in rural development. The program aims to provide students with hands-on experience in understanding and addressing the complex socio-economic challenges faced by rural communities. Teams are tasked with conducting field research, identifying key challenges, and proposing practical, scalable solutions that can improve livelihoods while preserving local culture and heritage. Our team was assigned the Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company (GLPC), a key player in rural empowerment in Gujarat. Through this immersion, we gained firsthand insights into the day-to-day operations of rural communities, especially women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and their efforts to uplift their livelihoods through traditional crafts and entrepreneurship. 1.2 Purpose of the Study The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the economic and social dynamics of SHGs in the Kutch region. These groups, primarily composed of women artisans, represent a significant part of the local economy, engaging in traditional crafts such as Ajrakh block printing, Rabari embroidery, and weaving. However, they face numerous challenges, including market access, resource scarcity, and socio-cultural barriers. Our study aimed to identify these challenges and provide recommendations to enhance the operational efficiency of these SHGs, helping them to scale their businesses while preserving their cultural identity.