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The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
How Karnataka's artisans strive to stay afloat sans a middleman
The recent years have seen a surge in the demand for traditionally handcrafted home decor. Brassware, wooden idols, handmade lamps, rugs and more are being marketed as 'minimalist aesthetic' on various social media platforms and weekend pop-ups. Minimalism, referring to a lifestyle of intentionally living with only essentials rather than focusing on appearances, has led to a boom in the Aesthetic Economy. The gleaming finish of various handicrafts in Karnataka's newly constructed urban houses raises the question of who really benefits from it. At a hushed weaving unit in Bengaluru, Nanditha Sulur's team consists of 15 weavers who make rugs, pure silk and cotton silk sarees using traditional pit looms. 'As home decor becomes more popular, people tend to focus on the price and beauty of the product without taking into consideration the creator or the time it took to make it,' says Nanditha, owner of Indu Silks and Sarees in Bengaluru. By removing intermediaries, Nanditha ensures her customers pay fairly, instead of exorbitant prices. When determining prices, the cost of raw materials and complexity of designs are factored in, as well as daily wages for workers. 'I've seen my saris being sold at much higher prices in other outlets, which is why I made sure to eliminate the middlemen,' she says. 'People want a handmade finish at mass-produced rates,' says Jeenal Desai, founder of Clayodyssey in Bengaluru, commenting on the home decor trend. She explains, 'I have tried to sell my pottery through middlemen twice but since they add a 30% charge, it becomes more expensive.' Heritage and handiwork Artisanal hubs such as Channapatna and Bidar, which once reflected Karnataka's cultural heritage and craftsmanship, are struggling to remain relevant due to new marketing techniques. 'The National Institute of Design and National Institute of Fashion Technology have helped artisans reinvent their products, enabling them to reach a broader global market. Dolls that were traditionally made have now become educational tools, pen holders, and showpieces,' says HR Rajappa, Managing Director (MD), Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation (KSHDC). 'Channapatna toys have become much more than just toys. From napkin rings to chandeliers, Channapatna artisans are developing designs using innovative colours and shapes,' says Karthik, founder of Varnam Craft Collective. Varnam, which has been collaborating with Channapatna artisans for over a decade, observes that the demand from city buyers and foreign customers for customised products is time-consuming and results in a lower yield return for the artisans. Middlemen continue to wield power in numerous craft ecosystems by setting up units and gaining more profit. Though traditional handicrafts have begun to decorate Indian homes, many consumers remain unaware of their origin. 'Artisans using banana fibre and sandalwood are slowly being replaced by the Western or Korean products in marketplaces and metro station stalls,' adds M Mandal, Manager Development, KSHDC. A fine balance While keeping up with the times is important, one should not stray far off the mark where culture is concerned. Commenting on this ironic loss of tradition, Shejal Tewari, chief aide for an independent documentary on Karnataka's handlooms that is currently in production, says, 'A line should be drawn if artisans are being forced to commit to a trend which may fade away eventually.' She mentions the 'two-minute sari' with readymade pleats. 'It is functional, but a sari is not just a garment. The whole experience of learning how to drape it from your mothers and sisters is taken away. Such trends cannot carry the value of stories and memories forward.' 'The term 'sustainability' is often used as a marketing gimmick without taking into account the production process of each handicraft,' says Karthik. 'Even though the forests are regulated, the use of wood is still necessary for handicrafts such as Channapatna toys, which means they cannot be termed sustainable.' 'Culture and tradition seem to exist within spaces that are not doing well financially, and while they have a few patrons, the ones actually using their hands and sitting at the loom, are from villages and financially backward areas. No funds are provided taking that into consideration,' says Shejal. She adds how knowledge handed down over generations, is being eradicated as artisans do not want their children to take up the family craft. 'They'd rather see their sons as street vendors than learn the craft. It is not about money anymore, it is a social concern.' Baby steps 'The KSHDC works towards preserving and protecting Karnataka's rich tradition of craftsmanship,' says Rajappa, adding, 'Each piece has a set price that is not arbitrary. The price is calculated by a committee comprising officers and master artisans, who take into consideration the skill, material value, and workmanship it entailed.' He goes on to explain how accommodationshave been built in Kalanagar a at Channapatna to support artisans. These homes are provided with subsidies and are rented for ₹155 per month through 25-year EMIs. Similarly, Bidriware artisans working with blackened zinc and inlaid silver, have adapted to crafting corporate gifts and home decor. Through Cauvery Handicrafts and its e-commerce portal, the government provides support to artisans and minimises the involvement of middlemen. Even as the KSHDC's influence stretches across Karnataka, craftsmen in smaller towns still struggle without funds and support. A few such as Prakash Cannappa Ganiger, an artisan at Krishikala Handicrafts based in Mysore, have taken matters into their own hands. 'We train local women in Yarebudihal at grassroot level, thereby forming a self-help group or a sangha.' Though sales happen through melas, exhibitions and social media plans help widen their reach. 'Despite the challenges faced by rural artisans due to financial disparity, there is hope as now consumers increasingly favour products created using ecological and sustainable practices,' says Prakash. Boon and bane Mahalasa Prashant, who runs Adhya creations in Bengaluru, says online platforms such as Dhruti Mahila Marukatte and Facebook provide opportunities for women entrepreneurs to promote and sell their crafts. She emphasised the need for a tight-knit social circle among independent artisans, especially when dealing with common issues they face, including haggling and plagiarism. Mahalasa says, 'Once, I found a screenshot of a custom nameplate I had made, posted on another account for sale. On confronting them, they denied the allegation and deleted the post. In this sea of social media you can never keep track of such accounts.' The fickleness of trends is as significant as their far-reaching impact. The subtle loss of heritage, tradition and identity loom large as artisans and their consumers subconsciously call for makeovers.
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Weight regain begins 8 weeks after stopping anti-obesity drugs, says study
A review of data from clinical trials of weight-loss drugs has concluded that weight regain begins about eight weeks after stopping these medications, and continues up to 20 weeks, before stabilising at about 26 weeks. The paper 'Trajectory of the body weight after drug discontinuation in the treatment of anti-obesity medications' published in BMC Medicine, an open access, transparent peer-reviewed general medical journal, also observed that at 52 weeks, the subjects of the trial still weighed less than they did before starting medication, but the weight loss was reduced compared to when they were actively taking the drugs. 11 clinical trials The researchers Han Wu et al, from the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Peking University People's Hospital, China, analysed data from 11 clinical trials with 1,573 people taking anti-obesity medication. These medications included: GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as semaglutide, liraglutide), orlistat, naltrexone-bupropion, and phentermine-topiramate. Randomised controlled trials of anti-obesity medications conducted in the population for at least four weeks and followed up for four or more weeks after discontinuation were included. The review sought to examine the post-trial period when the drugs stop, estimate what happens to the weight of these patients, how much weight is regained, how soon do they begin to regain weight and the impact of lifestyle factors on weight. The researchers observed that people who lost more weight during treatment were more likely to regain weight, even if they continued lifestyle interventions (including diet and exercise). Those who started with a lower body mass index (BMI), meaning they were less overweight, showed more weight regain after stopping than those with higher BMI. Interestingly, people taking GLP-1-related drugs experienced more weight regain after stopping than those on other drugs, they reported in the paper. Different weight regain was observed in subjects with different characteristics, the researchers said, adding that studies with a longer follow-up duration are required to further investigate the potential factors associated with weight change after discontinuation of treatment. Hope to many 'This is an interesting study with robust meta analyses, but similar results have been shown in many other trials too,' says Dr. Nanditha, consultant diabetologist, Dr. A. Ramachandran's Diabetes Hospitals, Chennai. 'Any intervention, either when you step down or discontinue, will result in weight gain, even if it is lifestyle modifications.' However, it is important to see the usefulness of these drugs in the context of the obesity epidemic. Obesity, originally, was looked upon as a risk factor, but is now considered a disease by itself. 'Earlier, we did not have many tools to treat it, now these drugs are providing hope to people who can lose weight without surgery. What is clear is that the regain will not take you back to the baseline weight, so while expensive, these drugs should be considered an investment, because the benefits go beyond weight loss,' she said. It may be remembered that another study, published recently in the journal Obesity, showed that semaglutide and tirzepatide — injectable GLP-1 drugs for obesity — produce lower weight loss in a real-world setting, as compared to during the clinical trial, because patients discontinue treatment or use lower maintenance dosages.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Time of India
Crypto fraud: Techie duped of over Rs 87L by woman he met on matrimonial site
1 2 3 Hyderabad: A 28-year-old software professional from Mancherial lost Rs 87.6 lakh to fraudsters posing as a prospective bride on an online matrimony platform. They lured him into a fake cryptocurrency investment scheme. In his complaint to Telangana Cyber Security Bureau's (TGCSB) Ramagundam police station, the victim, who is an associate manager with a Bengaluru-based firm, stated that he had created an account on Bharat Matrimony two years ago. On Jan 18, he received a match request from another user claiming to be 'Nanditha Reddy' from Vijayawada. The two soon began communicating on WhatsApp. According to the complainant, Nanditha told him that she had moved to Malaysia and was an expert in cryptocurrency trading. She introduced him to a crypto investment platform and persuaded him to invest, citing exclusive professional access. The victim began investing from Feb 25 by transferring money to various bank accounts listed on the crypto investment portal. On March 26, he was permitted to withdraw Rs 2 lakh, which bolstered his confidence. By June 6, he had transferred a total of Rs 40.3 lakh as principal, plus an additional Rs 42.28 lakh towards 'taxes, channel fees, and verification charges,' in order to withdraw a profit of Rs 2 crore which was shown virtually on the website. However, when the site demanded more money to 'unblock' his account, he grew suspicious and approached Ramagundam police station on Thursday, reporting a total loss of Rs 87.6 lakh. The police registered a case under sections 318(4) (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the BNS Act and section 66D of the IT Act. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
IVF patient's cough leads to TB, autoimmune diagnosis
IVF treatment pleural effusion cryobiopsy pulmonary tuberculosis anti-tubercular treatment Women undergoing IVF treatment are at higher risk for tuberculosis. Therefore, an autoimmune evaluation should be part of infertility assessments before starting IVF –Dr Divya Shree J, Manipal Hospital Jayanagar Nanditha, a 38-year-old woman, is undergoingto become a mother. After her last embryo pickup was unsuccessful, she visited the hospital for a different reason. For the past three weeks, she had been dealing with a cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, and loss of Divya Shree J, Consultant – Interventional Pulmonology at Manipal Hospital, Jayanagar, said the patient was found to have a right-sided, which is a fluid build up between the lungs and the chest wall. Nanditha was admitted on April 18, 2025, for further evaluation. A CECT (Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography) of the thorax confirmed the presence of fluid, and around 800 ml to 1 litre was drained for tuberculosis (TB) was suspected, initial fluid tests did not confirm the diagnosis. To get more clarity, the medical team performed a rigid bronchoscopy followed by a, a relatively advanced procedure to collect lung tissue.'Cryobiopsy isn't widely used but gives more accurate diagnostic results,' explained Dr Divya Shree. 'In Nanditha's case, the procedure was successful, and we confirmed she had. She was started on(ATT), and her symptoms began to improve within two weeks.'Alongside TB treatment, doctors also examined potential causes of her infertility. Despite having no thyroid or hormonal issues, an autoimmune workup revealed that she tested positive for antinuclear antibodies (ANA). She was diagnosed with an undifferentiated connective tissue disease, a condition that may have contributed to both her infertility and susceptibility to TB.A rheumatologist has advised immunosuppressive therapy, but it will commence only after her infection is fully under control. Dr Divya Shree emphasised the importance of autoimmune screening for women undergoing IVF, as they may be at higher risk for infections like was discharged on April 23 and is currently under close follow-up for both conditions.
