Sarah Foster
St. John's University
Charles Wankel
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Rupjyoti has also been able to incorporate environmental efforts through utilizing an invasive strand of water wheat to create thread to use in their woven merchandise. The women also utilize discarded plastic waste that is littering the streets and neighborhoods of Assam.
Rupjyoti Saikia Gogoi has built a school where the rural women have the opportunity to learn from more advanced women new designs and techniques. This includes the process of turning the water wheat and the plastic waste into usable threads for their designs.
This innovation was inspired through observation and research on the surrounding environments. The water wheat is an invasive species of plant that destructs the Brahmaputra River habitat if not removed. Cleaning up the litter that is collected throughout the area has also gave the idea to re-use some of these materials. Due to these innovative materials the women are able to save money on the resources needed to produce their merchandise.
The overall impact of the innovation is the creation of merchandise that is earth-friendly and sustainable. When the women's textile designs are sold, it economically benefits their family and helps reduce poverty in the area. This extra income is utilized to help provide a way to raise money for costs such as education and bettering their household.
Utilizing this newly founded thread has enabled the women to distinguish themselves from other Assamese weavers. This gives the cooperative a competitive advantage in the woven merchandise market. The story behind the reusable and sustainable thread is a market pitch that many consumers willingly spend on the women's merchandise.
This innovation benefits both the society and the environment. It benefits the society in multiple ways including the provision of jobs to uneducated rural women. These women will hopefully have enough disposable income to provide for educational costs and improvements to their lifestyle and household. The environment is benefitting from the removal of plastic waste that is currently littering the area. The women are also helping the ecology of the Brahmaputra River by aiding in the removal of the invasive water wheat species.
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Rupjyoti Saikia Gogoi, Founder
Rupjyoti has also been able to incorporate environmental efforts through utilizing an invasive strand of water wheat to create thread to use in their woven merchandise. The women also utilize discarded plastic waste that is littering the streets and neighborhoods of Assam.
Social Impact: Enabling rural women in the Kaziranga National Park a steady income that allows them to better both their standard of life as well as their families. Potentially opening up doors to being able to afford educational costs and enhancing their living spaces.
Economic Impact: Allowing the economy to grow and capitalize on traditional practices. In the future, Rupjyoti would like to expand her business into a restaurant and hotel run by the village women. This would provide an immersive and authentic village lifestyle experiences. The women already hone the skill of preparing local cuisine.
Ecological Impact: The women are helping the environment through utilizing the material they have selected; a local invasive water wheat and re-used plastic litter.