08
Ganesh was 22 years old then. He spent 13
years with REHWA before he left to start his
own business and teach his only son, Aatish, to
weave. “His legs are long enough to touch the
treadles now,” said Ganesh, as we completed
our daily English lesson. “I must focus on
him and on a business which will allow me to
educate him and his sister, Shagun, in weaving.”
In the beginning, Ganesh’s shift from manager
of REHWA to independent business weaver
was not easy for anyone. We at REHWA missed
his calm and competent management. And we
also missed the comfort of knowing that he
was available in the loom-shed or at a weaver’s
home at anytime of the night or day to help
and advice.
When the time is right, I wish to speak with
his wife, Chandrakanta, about those early days
of doing a private handloom business. I know
they were challenging in every way. He had left
the comfort and security of a steady job as
Manager of REHWA, for the risky prospect
of starting his own business, but I never heard
Ganesh complain and he never approached
anyone for a loan.
Slow and Steady
His business grew slowly and steadily from ten
to over seventy looms. He had brought success
and prosperity to REHWA under his young
leadership in the seventies and eighties and
just like that he patiently created a successful
weaving unit by transforming young graduates
from the local government training centre into
weavers who, till today, are considered amongst
Maheshwar’s finest.
For many years his private business thrived and
paved the way for many others who followed
his business model. One could truthfully say
that, along with REHWA, Ganesh himself
led the way for all of Maheshwar’s aspiring
