Empowering women artisans through the traditional Madhubani craft: A successful motivational story of Shaila Jain of Saran district of Bihar

This is a motivational and triumphant story of a Madhubani craft artisan and women entrepreneur Mrs. Shaila Jain (85) deals with Madhubani painted handloom and handcrafted textile products designed from traditional craft i.e. Madhubani painting. Mrs. Shaila Jain residing Daulat Ganj, Saran district, Bihar. Mrs. Shaila Jain is a role model for every woman who enters business or becomes a successful entrepreneur through Madhubani craft. Mrs. Shaila Jain represents self-assurance, dedication, and willpower in establishing herself as a woman entrepreneur in this field. Mrs. Shaila Jain has successfully established a small-scale venture named “Bihar Classics Home Decore Madhubani Patchwork” through family and group support, and cooperation from her fellow workers. She has 36 years of experience in Madhubani artwork. She received technical trainings, credit, and marketing facilities through different NGO’s, financial and governmental organizations. The limited market access and high input cost are found to be the major obstruction in her case due to all efforts. However, she marked success by incorporating innovation in designs and tradition into her Madhubani handloom and handicraft textile products. So many apparel and textile products e.g. saree, suits, kurta, kurti, wall hangings, tie, purses, toran, bedsheets, runners, table cloths, runners etc. is developed and designed by herself with incorporated with kantha embroidery work. Her gross income is around above 50,000/- per month from exporting their products in national and international markets. Another side of herself, she has contributed to the society through awareness and empowered women artisans in her community. She is motivating the females workers through various training, camps and workshops organised by their NGO’s. She is in close contact with Govt. organizations and other institutes like NGOs, NABARD, and Handloom & Textile. She also awarded from various esteemed awards and recognition in the field of Madhubani craft. She has also empowered 10-15 women through this art of work and supported them financially.