Compliment activation

In 1975, Professor Ravi J. Matthai initiated an experiment to teach the people of Jawaja to be self-reliant Ravi believed that “sustained development” is feasible only if it is based on people learning to be self-reliant by learning to generate their own opportunities and resources [2] Ashoke Chatterjee, part of the Jawaja Experiment, noted in an interview in 1997 that in the twenty years since the experiment started, the people of Jawaja have gone from being thrown out on sight at the Taj Hotel in Bombay to having an international buyer selling their crafts for almost fifteen years The Jawaja Experiment was successful in helping the people of Jawaja to gain a little bit of economic independence

In 1975, Professor Ravi J. Matthai initiated an experiment to teach the people of Jawaja to be self-reliant Ravi believed that “sustained development” is feasible only if it is based on people learning to be self-reliant by learning to generate their own opportunities and resources [2] Ashoke Chatterjee, part of the Jawaja Experiment, noted in an interview in 1997 that in the twenty years since the experiment started, the people of Jawaja have gone from being thrown out on sight at the Taj Hotel in Bombay to having an international buyer selling their crafts for almost fifteen years The Jawaja Experiment was successful in helping the people of Jawaja to gain a little bit of economic independence

Located in the north-western state Rajasthan, Jawaja Block is nestled in between the Thar Desert and the Aravalli Range

The Indian government has declared the area to be an area of high poverty with no resources

Located in the north-western state Rajasthan, Jawaja Block is nestled in between the Thar Desert and the Aravalli Range

The Indian government has declared the area to be an area of high poverty with no resources

Jawaja leather workers are concerned about polluting their water supply with sodium sulfide Jawaja leather workers are part of the Dalit (Untouchables) caste Sodium sulfide is a toxic chemical that can cause death by ingestion Sodium sulfide is used by the leather workers in the de-hairing stage of leather processing(Fig.1) The used de-hairing solution is dumped onto open fields without treatment

Jawaja leather workers are concerned about polluting their water supply with sodium sulfide Jawaja leather workers are part of the Dalit (Untouchables) caste Sodium sulfide is a toxic chemical that can cause death by ingestion Sodium sulfide is used by the leather workers in the de-hairing stage of leather processing(Fig.1) The used de-hairing solution is dumped onto open fields without treatment

The Indian caste system consists of 4 castes and the outcaste (Fig. 2) The outcaste is known by numerous names: Dalit, Harijin, Untouchable, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Dalits have been subject to severe discrimination by people of other castes The only jobs that a Dalit can have are the undesirable and filthy jobs

The Indian caste system consists of 4 castes and the outcaste (Fig. 2) The outcaste is known by numerous names: Dalit, Harijin, Untouchable, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Dalits have been subject to severe discrimination by people of other castes The only jobs that a Dalit can have are the undesirable and filthy jobs

The chemicals used in the tanning process are of strong concentrations and consuming contaminated water could seriously affect the health of the local people.

It would be impossible for them to invest in a clean and environmentally friendly disposal system.

The limited quantity of water available also restricts the Jawaja leather workers from diluting the effluent before dumping it on the ground.

Recommended use of alternative non-toxic chemicals, which can turn this small leather industry into a suitable one without sacrificing the environment.

The chemicals used in the tanning process are of strong concentrations and consuming contaminated water could seriously affect the health of the local people.

It would be impossible for them to invest in a clean and environmentally friendly disposal system.

The limited quantity of water available also restricts the Jawaja leather workers from diluting the effluent before dumping it on the ground.

Recommended use of alternative non-toxic chemicals, which can turn this small leather industry into a suitable one without sacrificing the environment.

Given the social and economic circumstances of the Jawaja leather workers, there was a shift in the context of problem and hence the solution.

Most of the suggestions made in the proposal were discarded.

Alternate chemicals as a replacement can be considered for changing the liming process.

Alternate chemicals are conveniently available and at a similar price.

The team assumed that new chemicals will be available at the same chemical store.

ALTERNATIVES

Oxidative dehairing agent like sodium perborate [3].

Alkaline hydrogen peroxide and potassium cyanate [4].

Calcium peroxide which rapidly dehairs cattle hides with efficiency similar to that of sodium sulfide [5].

These alternatives are environmentally friendly and do not produce toxic sulfide gas if accidentally exposed to any acid.Figure 1: Leather hides in de-hairing stage

Photo courtesy of Joanne Nakonechny

1. Human Rights Watch (2008). Broken People. Retrieved from http://www.hrw.org/en/node/24485/section/102. Ranjit Gupta (1988). Sustained Development through People: Insights from an Experiment. Retrieved from http://www.vikalpa.com/pdf/articles/1988/1988_jan_mar_3_16.pdf3. Marmer W. N. and Dudley R. L. (2005). Oxidative Dehairing by Sodium Percarbonate. Journal of the American Leather Chemists Association, 100(11), 427-431.4. Marmer W. N. and Dudley R. L. (2005). Rapid Oxidative Dehairing Using Alkaline Hydrogen Peroxide and Potassium Cyanate: Reuse of the Dehairing Reagents. Journal of the American Leather Chemists Association, 100(5), 165-173.5. Gehring A.G, Bailey D.G, Dimaio G.F, Dudley R.L, Marmer W.N, and Mazenko C.E. (2003). Rapid Oxidative Unhairing with Alkaline Calcium Peroxide. Journal of the American Leather Chemists Association, 98(6), 216-223.

1. Human Rights Watch (2008). Broken People. Retrieved from http://www.hrw.org/en/node/24485/section/102. Ranjit Gupta (1988). Sustained Development through People: Insights from an Experiment. Retrieved from http://www.vikalpa.com/pdf/articles/1988/1988_jan_mar_3_16.pdf3. Marmer W. N. and Dudley R. L. (2005). Oxidative Dehairing by Sodium Percarbonate. Journal of the American Leather Chemists Association, 100(11), 427-431.4. Marmer W. N. and Dudley R. L. (2005). Rapid Oxidative Dehairing Using Alkaline Hydrogen Peroxide and Potassium Cyanate: Reuse of the Dehairing Reagents. Journal of the American Leather Chemists Association, 100(5), 165-173.5. Gehring A.G, Bailey D.G, Dimaio G.F, Dudley R.L, Marmer W.N, and Mazenko C.E. (2003). Rapid Oxidative Unhairing with Alkaline Calcium Peroxide. Journal of the American Leather Chemists Association, 98(6), 216-223.

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Manu is a 40 year old female Dalit who is a manual scavenger (Bhangi). The following is Manju’s account of her daily routine taken from a report by Human Rights Watch [1].

Manu is a 40 year old female Dalit who is a manual scavenger (Bhangi). The following is Manju’s account of her daily routine taken from a report by Human Rights Watch [1].

In the morning I work from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. cleaning the dry latrines. I collect the feces and carry it on my head to the river half a kilometer away seven to ten times a day. In the afternoon I clean the gutters. Another Bhangi collects the rubbish from the gutters and places it outside.  Then I come and pick it up and take it one kilometer away. My husband died ten years ago since then I have been doing this. Today I earn Rs. 30 a day (US$0.75).  Nine years ago I earned Rs. 16 (US$0.40), then Rs. 22 (US$0.55), and for the last two years it has been Rs. 30. But the payments are uncertain. For the last two months we have not received anything. Every two months they pay, but there is no certainty. We are paid by the Nagar Palika municipality chief officer.

Caste Name Description

Brahmins Priests and Teachers

Ksatriyas Warriors and Rulers

Vaisyas Farmers, Merchants, Artisans

Sudras Labourers

Dalit Polluted Labourers

Figure 2: Indian Caste System

Map of north-western IndiaImage courtesy of Google Maps

A group photo of the leather workers of JawajaPhoto courtesy of Joanne Nakonechny

Photos showing different phases of work during leather crafting

Photo courtesy of Maiwa Handprints Ltd. 2010