Special features of the organization
Kala Raksha Activities , Income Generation- provide opportunity to earn through traditional art to more than 1,000 women artisans in 25 villages , Capacity Building- have conducted design workshops with reputed designers over the past 21 years. Women are encouraged to innovate on their own traditions , Have trained local people as professional staff, and 20 village people in professional tailoring , Museum- 1997 established Kala Raksha Textile Museum. Today the excellently documented collections are digitally catalogued, archivally housed and accessible on the world wide web , Education- since 1997 conducted functional literacy/ awareness workshops with artisans , Health- since 1997 conducted preventive health care/ education workshops , Micro Credit- have established self help savings groups among artisans in 6 villages , Earthquake Rehabilitation- Post 2001 Kutch earthquake, independently raised funds and coordinated the reconstruction of an entire village (124 homes) and three sub centers. Provided financial assistance on matching grant basis for one year to all artisan constituency , Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya Established the first Design School for Artisans, with financial support from The D C (Handicrafts) Government of India, UNESCO and private donors- 122 students have completed the one year course , , Achievements , Presented at Textile Society of America symposium: Kala Raksha: from Cultural Identity to Intellectual Property , Six women collaborated with students of the Art Institute Vittoria of Trento in an exhibition, Deserts and Mountains - East and West of the World, which won a prize for peace dedicated to Giancarlo Bettiol , Launch of Kala Raksha online museum www.kala-raksha-museum.org , Chief Executive Prakash Bhanani was nominated as a member of the Steering Committee (Handicrafts) under the National Planning Commission Govt. of India.. He attended a meeting in Delhi on 24 March, 2006 , On November 29, Kala Raksha was honoured on a Special Cover, and with a cancellation stamp by the Indian Postal Service , 2012-EdelGive Social Innovation Honours (ESIH)- Runner up for Livelihood innovation , 2008- UNESCO Seal of Excellence Award , 2001-Honoree of the International Responsible Tourism Showcase , 2004-Winner of Crafts Council of India s Sanmaan award for best game (Snakes and Ladders)
