Parul Bajoria, Founder, Miharu
Parul Bajoria, a fashion designer, is the founder of social enterprise Miharu. Miharu works towards helping rural artisans and reviving dying ancient art-forms of Bengal like Dokra and Baluchari by combining traditional art forms with contemporary utility products.
Podcast
Overview
The 21st century has seen a drastic evolution of the craft and art industry. With technology and digitization, everything is machine-made. Handicraft and handmade products have lost their traditional essence.
This has led to the loss of handicraft workers and small artisans of the country. Fast fashion and modern companies have overshadowed the efforts of small-scale businesses.
Today, on The Brand Called You, we have a very accomplished woman who is making an effort to acknowledge the work of these small artisans and help their beautiful art reach more and more people.
Parul Bajoria is with us on the podcast today. Parul is the founder of Miharu, a social enterprise in the Bankura district of West Bengal. In an interview with our host Ashutosh Garg, Parul highlights the scope of her work with the local artisans of West Bengal. She talks about helping the local art of her state reach greater places.
Parul has inculcated some very talented artisans and traditional handicraft forms of West Bengal in her venture. She works with Baluchari and Dokra artists and has curated a very unique collection of decor, jewelry, dupattas, etc. Her initiative has not only helped the revival of traditional craft designs but has also economically helped the local artisans. She has also managed to help the artists learn new skills and infuse it with their traditional knowledge.
Parul informs us that since she works with a lot of women artisans, her venture has helped them gain financial stability and confidence.
In a world where people are busy investing and playing in bigger fields and businesses, Parul is making a constant effort to not only build a conscious business for herself but also help others to do so!
Profile
Parul Bajoria, a fashion designer, is the founder of social enterprise Miharu. Miharu works towards helping rural artisans and reviving dying ancient art-forms of Bengal like Dokra and Baluchari by combining traditional art forms with contemporary utility products. Started in 2013, Miharu has been supplying to retail giants like FabIndia, E-marketplaces Okhai, Unicefusa.org and many more.
Parul is the recipient of “FOSMI Outstanding Women Entrepreneur Award” from the hands of Former President Late. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Parul and Miharu were also featured among Top 100 successful women enterprises in the compendium released by the MSME Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari.
Parul was the finalist of the unique Entrepreneurship reality show EGIYE BANGLA by West Bengal Government and was featured on Television. Her story has been featured on Times Now, Amazon Saheli Seller, Anand Bazaar Patrika, SPAN magazine of USA, Yourstory and many such places.
Parul belongs to the reputed Bajoria Family from Bankura which are in business for more than 100 years. She is involved in various philanthropic activities and a proud member of Ficci Flo, Rotary Club, Marwari Mahila Samity.
