International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056 Volume: 04 Issue: 12 | Dec-2017 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072 © 2017, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 6.171 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 386 Living Conditions of Weavers: A case study of Varanasi Dikchha Tiwari Student, Department of Housing, SPA,New Delhi ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract – The study focus upon the housing conditions of weavers in Varanasi. People of this community are facing acute poverty, making it barely possible to make their both end meet in a day to day life. With increasing competition in the field, availability of cheaper, power-loom alternatives have hit the demand and manufacturing process of saree pushing the workers into much worse conditions. Weavers are living a pitiful life do not wish to pass on this art to their generations to come, hence the future of this tradition is at stake. The paper brings into limelight the poor condition of women and children involved in this art giving a picture of declining economy and various health issues, the torch-bearers of this age old traditions are bearing in this modern world. The data for the study have been collected through personal interviews, case study and focused group discussion. Key Words: Poverty, Slum, Weavers, Housing Condition, Living Condition. 1. INTRODUCTION Mark Twain once wrote,dz Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put togetherdz, a city famous for its Ghats and sarees has some harsh reality to face. The 800 year old traditional art of weaving is on the verge of extinction and the people involved are living a pathetic life. Their traditional houses are turning to ruins since weavers have no money to invest on their housing conditions. As a basic need of shelter, weavers do have a roof over their head but increasing family sizes generations after generations have led to a situation where they can neither move out of the existing living situation due lack of proper income nor is it easy to live in the existing housing conditions. Various government interventions like BSUP(Basic Services for Urban Poor), (RAY) Rajive Avas Yojna and Kashi Ram Shehri Garib Avas were implemented but could not prove to be a holistic solution to their housing needs. This study therefore focuses on the housing situation of the weavers living in different slum pockets of the city namely Bajardiha, Badi Gabi and Bunkar Colony, where occupation of the people living is dependent on this traditional art. According to Handloom Census 2009-10(as updated on June, 2017), there are 31,378 handlooms and 95,439 handloom weavers. However, there is a significant decline of 16% from 1995-96 to 2009-10 which is because of major shift of people from this sector to other jobs and to power looms. As mentioned by Dr. Archana and Shruti Nagvanshi there are about 5,00,000 weavers in the district through unofficial source. Weaving is a fine craft and a home based enterprise in Varanasi district with mostly Muslim’s and dalit’s employed in this sector generation after generation, though remaining poor and marginalized. Primarily weavers can be categorized in two types – marginalized individual weavers and profit making Gaddidars (traders) or Grihasthas (master weavers).Individual weavers are often exploited by Gaddidars, who after working on their material, design and loom depend on Gaddidars for marketing their finished material, hence taking control of their production and weavers profit share.This exploitation by Gaddidars continues to happens because of lack of proper educations among the weaver community remaining ignorant about the schemes and aids available for them by government. 2. METHODOLOGY Data collection and analysis was done at three levels City level, Settlement level and Household unit level. Information was collected through interviews at settlement level,from officials of DUDA( District Urban Development Agency), Varanasi Nagar Nigam, Varanasi Development Authority, professors of BHU, trader, doctor in order to understand forward & backward linkages related to this field, identify stakeholders, problem faced by weavers, issues with government policies, socio- economic & housing characteristics in the city. At Settlement level visual observations were made about the building condition, property use, floor utilization, built form characteristics and also sampling was used to collect data through prepared questionnaires. During the survey, the layout of weavers dominated area was mapped & sketches were prepared showing the land use plan and physical characteristics of the settlement. With the help of local peoples, different typologies were identified within the settlement for the detail study at unit level. 3. CASE STUDIES CONDUCTED The criteria for selection of case studies was made such that areas with dominant weaver population could be analyzed, area where government interventions have been implemented such as Badi Gabi where weavers have redeveloped their houses under centrally sponsored scheme of RAY The area selected has a sizeable number of this home Based industry and major environment and health issues among its residents.