Despite the hurdles of low literacy, poor infrastructure, lack of access to mainstream markets and the
hegemony of the manufacturing giants, small pockets of designers and innovators have survived at the
grassroots level. These pockets are not just a source of livelihood but also a veritable pool of traditional
knowledge which has been often neglected by the formal sector. We believe that a c
ontext specific
combination of traditional skills and modern methods of design and innovation assisted by appropriate
technology introduced early in the learning trajectory of a young apprentice can lead to a new generation
of informed craftsmen and technicians adapted to the global scenario. This will ensure growth that is not
limited to one time external interventions alone, but in the long run trigger a chain reaction of further
innovations that may build a self-reliant community similar to all living and evolving practices. Therefore, the Facility is envisaged as a Skill knowledge developer as well as a Skill knowledge
provider of appropriate Design and Technology from the perspective of appropriateness, affordability
and sustainability for craft communities as well as MSMEs in Uttar Pradesh. The facility will develop
community relevant pedagogical methods and use the same for skill development and up-gradation for
adoption of appropriate design and technologies for enhancing the prospects of self/waged employed
designers at the grassroots. The scope of the Facility is limited to the informal sector that varies in the
range of traditional craftsmen to community specific cottage and micro scale industries. With this in view
the Facility aims at
- Developing appropriate designs in design communities for innovation and acceptability
- Developing appropriate technology that is either embedded in the design or helps in producing it
- Designing pedagogical methods for introducing skills for up-gradation in both design and
technology in design communities at the grass-root level.
- Conceiving short modules for up-gradation of existing skills and development of related skills to
enhance the level of design and technology appropriate to the community.
- Forming structures for evaluation that are community specific and geared towards employment
rather than concept learning.
- Documenting knowledge of indigenous technology, design practices and systems of measurement
(cues that help in deciding a furnace temperature without a thermostat or proportions without a
drawing) and recognition (visual cues that help in deciding the age of wood)
Given the significant impact that such a Facility could hold in upgrading the livelihood and dignity
of many besides its obvious reflection in the generation of revenue and preservation of living cultural
practices in Design & Technology, we believe that an initiative in the same is worthwhile.
