India produces an exquisite range of artistic and decorative stone crafts. The craft started way back in 12th. Century under the direct patronage of Mughal Emperors. The skilled workers came from Middle East. But after the Mughal dynasty the workers fell in deep trouble, their products had got no takers. Their occupation was in the verge of extinction. They switched over to other trade and started moving to other places from their native land. One section in Northern India started doing ivory works. But this became a banned item for export. Once again they tried to revive their age-old art. But the story is no different. Poor Indian people do not have the buying power to purchase these works of art. Then came some exporters for their help. The carved stone items immediately got overseas buyer's favour. Industry started developing from stone carving temple, mosques to utility items like candle stand, incense stick holder, jewellery boxes etc. The next genre of craftsmen started creating ornaments, beads etc.

Steps for making stone articles involve 1) procurement of bulk raw stone 2) cut them into proper sizes 3) giving them the required shapes through turning 4) carving S) buffing & finishing.

The raw material (soap stone) is available in Jhansi, a place situated in the border area of Uttar Pradesh & Madhya Pradesh. Naturally the industry got flourished in the northern part of India extending from Varanasi to Delhi. The state of Orissa has got some share into it in hard stone category.

The small-scale entrepreneurs mainly dominate the industry. The making of finished stone articles from its raw stone mainly involves cutting /curving operations resulting a huge stone dust. These stone dusts affect the worker's general health resulting occupational diseases like Tuberculosis and Asthma etc. Most of the entrepreneurs do not bother to maintain a minimum prerequisite for the industry. Again the workers fall under the low pay category. The artisans are bound to leave the industry at an early age for their poor health. Being the only earning member the family gets into ruins. After their early retirement they are not properly compensated, as the industry is not organized.

Now this situation compelled us to step in to the stone industry to assist the artisans in a humble way. Our market survey says that the industry has an immense overseas market potential. Thus to explore the market, we have to make the production units viable and environment friendly.

We observe that the implementation of four basic things would change the scenario dramatically:
a) Introducing exhaust fans in the workshop. b) Providing masks to the workers.
c) Regular health checkups.
d) Providing fair wages to the artisans.

Since our members have long been associated with this stone industry, we felt to contribute some positive impetus to uplift the appalling condition of this industry as well as the artisans. So, we helped the workers of the industry to form a co-operative societies in some parts of the country. These societies have small factories where the finishing parts of the products are done.

Till date we have only provided some carving machineries and a motor for buffing. They get the stone cutting from another factory. To modernize the factory they need at least one lakh rupee. We like to invest this amount earnestly but at this moment it is difficult for us to provide this fund. At the time of placing order we pay 50% to 75% advance for procuring raw materials and we pay the balance payment on receipt of the goods.

The members of this society are totally dependent upon this unit. We cannot provide the job for them throughout the year. So, they have to look for the order of some other organizations.

We are eagerly looking forward to your support so that the workers may get job for the whole year and create exquisite works of art.