Charaka will organize Gandhi Santhe on September 26 and 27 at Heggod in Sagara taluk

As part of its Gandhi Pravasa, sustainable tourism initiative, Charaka, a women’s industrial cooperative society at Heggod in Sagara taluk, is organizing a Gandhi Santhe at its work centre, Shramajeevi Ashrama, in the village on September 26 and 27.

Eminent theater personality and founder of Charaka, Prasanna, told a press conference in Heggod on Thursday that the company, known for developing an alternative economic model of handloom production and marketing, decided to hold the event at its production center to show that the village industry need not remain just a “Gandhian legacy” but can also be a profitable venture.

Charaka, which manufactures handloom fabrics and garments, has won the best brand award by the National Handloom Development Corporation this year. Mr. Prasanna said that in its four-decade journey, the company has made profits every year except for the first few years and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Natural colors

Mr. Prasanna said that through Gandhi Santhe, the society would set up stalls of handwoven products made by Charaka and others involved in the village industry sector. It would also serve as a venue for B2B commerce where buyers and sellers would be invited to participate.

“With the help of local people at the workplace, we offer good hospitality, local cuisine and cultural programs to the visitors. We hope this week-long Gandhi Santhe initiative will attract more people in the coming days,” he said.

Mr Prasanna said Charaka was known for developing natural dyes through sustained research and development. “We have compost pits in our campus where we convert waste into organic manure which will be sold in small packets in urban centres. Interestingly, we buy cow dung from our society members at ₹15 per kg for the compost pits,” he said.

Profit

Terence Peter, chief executive, said the company had grown steadily since its inception in 1994. Aiming to promote rural livelihoods, the company focused on creating employment opportunities for rural people rather than just making a profit. “We believe in profit sharing and distribution. In the financial year 2025-26, the company recorded a turnover of ₹ 9.66 crore and a net profit of ₹ 5.19 crore, after sharing a bonus of ₹ 30 crore, among other benefits to the artisans,” he said.

He said the society has affected the lives of more than 800 families in seven districts, including weavers settled in parts of northern Karnataka. Almost 85% of the workforce was female.

Company President Mahalakshmi, Secretary Ramesh, Head of Design Padmashree were present at the press conference.

Published – 18 Sep 2026 20:03 IST