Inspiring People
Irani Sen(1944 - 2023)
On October 12, 2023, this extraordinary woman died in Kolkata at the age of 79.
Her son Indro Dasgupta continues to run the Craft Resource Center in Kolkata in her spirit.
A spark that lit the hand-making universe in India has passed away, but she leaves behind a robust system that would hopefully continue to provide that spark. This planning is so typical of a caring and 'practical' Irani. She was not only a loving mother to her son Indro but also her other child, Craft Resource Center or CRC, which she founded with her partner Manoranjan Walia in 1990. Obituary written by Aditi Roy Ghatak, journalist, author and among the leading economic commentators in India today whose economic journalism set standards in the eighties.
Empowering the world of artisans through Fair Trade. Knowing Irani Sen (June 6, 1944 - October 12, 2023), who passed away in a Kolkata nursing home, makes a lifetime not enough. The sheer inspiration of a young girl fending for herself in a world some half a century ago and accomplishing greatness through sheer grit and a constant process of self-empowerment, with no specified skills for a career, she built on her artistic proclivities to serve the artisanal community across India and in many other countries. Remembrance written by Jogi Panghal, a renowned Indian designer and visiting Professor of the National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad.
The Indian designer Irani Sen set up the Craft Resource Center (CRC) in Kolkata, which advises producer groups throughout India and puts them in touch with fair trade organizations. Irani initially began working in an NGO and learned about fair trade, which became her own future perspective. She had experienced for herself how important financial independence is, especially for women, she placed particular emphasis on ensuring that women benefit from their work and become independent. Irani Sen later became a consultant to craft groups on behalf of three European fair trade organizations, and GEPA was also happy to use her expertise. And finally, together with her partner, she founded her own fair trade organization in Kolkata - the Craft Resource Center (CRC).
Irani, whose life story has been closely intertwined with fair trade for more than 30 years, set up the Craft Resource Center in Kolkata (Calcutta), which continues to advise small producer groups and puts them in touch with fair trade organizations around the world. The center also handles export formalities for these groups.
Remembering Irani Sen, CRC, Kolkata, India by GEPA, the German Fair Trade organization.
