State of Shikhalkari in Jalna Problems & Solutions

1. ShikhalkariThe Iron Woker.

2. Deity of all craftsmen Lord Vishwakarma "The lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of the gods, the most eminent of artisans, the fashioner of all ornaments ... and a great and immortal god." He has four hands, wears a crown, loads of gold jewelry, and holds a water-pot, a book, a noose and craftsman's tools in his hands.

3. “Shikhalkari”

4. “Shikhalkari in Jalna” Population in Jalna……………….. 588 No. of Families………………………. 121 Most of them live in Area near ShivajiPutla, called Guru GovindsingNagar. Jalna.

5. “Historical Perspective.” Shikhalkaris were weapon makers and weapon & tools sharpeners for Sikh Religious Army. Came to Maharashtra with their Gurus when Guru Granth Sahib Nanded was established Also worked with freedom fighters Created lot of trouble for British Army. Were treated as criminal tribe by British. After independence started traditional tool and iron works. Small Crime and Theft kept them isolated from main stream.

6. Traditional Products Made By Shikalkaris. Kadhai . ( Shallow Frying Pan )

7. Traditional Products Made By Shikalkaris. Vegetable cutters

8. Traditional Products Made By Shikalkaris.

9. Traditional Products Made By Shikalkari.

10. Traditional Products Made By Shikalkari.

11. Skill Set Sheet Metal Work and light Metal Work mainly by Hand Tools.

12. Skill Set Sheet Metal Work and light Metal Work mainly by Hand Tools.

13. Skill Set Sheet Metal Work and light Metal Work mainly by Hand Tools.

14. Traditional Tools.

15. Traditional Tools.

16. Traditional Tools.

17. Traditional Tools.

18. Traditional Tools.

19. Traditional Tools.

20. Families to support Traditional Skills Alone Can Not Support Family

21. Traditional Skills Alone Can Not Support Family

22. Death Of Market for Traditional Products. Rise of Stainless Steel, Aluminium & Plastic

24. Rise in cost of Scrape Steel which is main input.

25. No skill up-gradation with time.

26. Isolated from main stream because of “Criminal Tag”.

27. Denial of Employment Opportunities by Public & Private Sector.

29. Participation by Women in Economic activity.

30. Work hard with basic instinct of Survival.

32. Solution ? What we can do

33. Technical Training& Modern Hand Tools

35. Training in Welding / Fitting / Forging by Private Training Centre.

37. Improving Finish & Productivity by modern tools

38. Improving Finish & Productivity by modern tools

39. Think Think What I can do.

40. Join Hand Sunil Raithatha , sunil@vinodrai.com Suresh Lahoti , suresh_lahoti@yahoo.com Suresh Kesapurkar, suresh9111@rediffmail.com SuniljiGoyal , viratsai@yahoo.co.in Datta Waugh