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Fateha village of Hazaribagh has become a center of embroidery and brocade due to the initiative of Meraj Ansari. Here hundreds of youth and women became self-reliant by learning this art. Their products are popular across the country. The main complaint of these people is that they do not get fair wages for their hard work.
Hazaribagh: Fataha village of Simaria block of the district is today gaining recognition in the country and abroad due to its skill and workmanship. At the center of this changing picture of the village is village resident Meraj Ansari, who left his job in the metropolis and gave a new direction to the traditional embroidery and zari work. Thanks to his work the entire village got a new identity. His dedication not only brought him success but also showed hundreds of youth and women of the village the way to become self-reliant.
Learned embroidery, returned to village to pursue dream
Meraj Ansari tells that he started his journey from Delhi in the year 1999. There he learned embroidery work in a private company and later got a job. Despite a good job and better lifestyle, he always had a dream in his mind to return to his village and do something big. This dream inspired him to leave his job in Delhi and return to Fateha.
Fataha village becomes center of embroidery and brocade
Returning back to the village, he used his skills to set up a small factory and started training the youth. Gradually the situation changed and more than 100 youth mastered this art. Today Fataha village has become a rapidly emerging center of embroidery and brocade work.
It is called the village of embroidery artists.
The artisans of Fataha do very intricate work on sarees, dupattas, suits and blouses. The products made by them are sent to many states of the country including Jharkhand. The workmanship here is so popular that people buy embroidered dupattas from here. Due to the initiative of Meraj, today Fataha village has come to be known as the village of embroidery artists.
You don’t get paid according to your hard work.
Village artisan Faraz Ansari says that this work is very laborious. One has to work on the same cloth for many hours. But despite their hard work and talent, the artisans do not get proper remuneration. It takes 5 to 6 days to make a saree, but one gets only Rs 3000 to 4000 in return. Whereas for embroidery of dupatta, one gets Rs 1500, which is much less than the hard work.
This story of Fataha village proves that if there is passion, hard work and right guidance, even traditional skills can create global recognition. Meraj Ansari and his fellow artisans are today a living example of the infinite possibilities of rural India.
