Page 9 - MANN KI BAAT- ENGLISH

and the sense of fashion today.
It was started by Dr. Chewang
Norbu Bhutia. He is a Veterinary
Doctor by profession and a true
Brand Ambassador of Sikkim's
The North-
culture by heart. He thought… east—India’s
”why not give a new dimension rising power-
house!
to weaving!” And this thought
gave birth to Crafted Fibers. He
connected traditional weaving
with modern fashion and made
it a social enterprise. Now he
doesn't just make clothes, he
weaves lives. He provides skill can attract the world when it is
training to local people, making combined with passion.
them self-reliant. By connecting
village weavers, cattle rearers My dear countrymen,
and self-help groups, Dr. Bhutia today I want to tell you about a
has created new avenues of wonderful person who is an artist
employment. as well as a living inspiration. His
Today, local women and name is - Jeevan Joshi; age 65
artisans are earning well through years. Now imagine, how full of
their skills. Crafted Fibers' shawls, life one who has 'Jeevan' in one’s
stoles, gloves, socks… all are name itself must be. Jeevan ji
made by local handloom. The lives in Haldwani, Uttarakhand.
wool used in it is obtained from During childhood, polio took
the rabbits and sheep of Sikkim. away the strength of his legs,
The colors are also completely but polio could not snatch his
natural - no chemicals, only the courage.
hues of nature. Dr. Bhutia has
lent a new identity to the
traditional weaving and
culture of Sikkim. Dr. Bhutia's
work teaches us how
much tradition

9 9