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ChanderiyaanProjectCS:Layout 1 10/12/2012 5:29 PM Page 15doing this they help remove/ reduce informationalseparation. They reinvesttheir profits into their business, whichmeans that financial separation also getsremoved or reduced. Weavers are alwaysaggressive towards learning- this reducesknowledge/ capability separation. For example,during the visit to the Chanderisite, the case writers met many hithertounemployed children of weavers who arenow actively engaged in some role in thesupply chain of the business with somein sales, some in designing, while othersare directly involved in weaving.DEF has also launched an e-commercewebsite [http://chanderiyaan.net/] thathas been successful in removing/ reducingspatial separation between thebuyer and the seller. DEF has also introducedICT-based services for Chanderiweavers. Introducing newtechnologies to the unpenetrated areashelps remove/ reduce temporal separation.Weavers earning more weavingcharges (when they weave for othermaster weavers) or getting more profitswhen they weave and sell directly, hasled to reduction in financial separation.DEF provides training programs oncloth design, apparel design, and finishedproduct design, which enhancesthe weavers’ knowledge-base. This how,knowledge/ capability separation getsremoved/ reduced.DEF is closely attached with SHGs thatwere formed by DEF. Working closelywith these Self-Help Groups DEF hasbeen proving them with capital. It alsohelps them manage the capital and monitorhow the capital is used in terms ofpurchasing of raw materials, payingweaving charges, and collecting themoney from the market after selling.There is also a production manager, amember of the SHG, who manages theproduction and marketing of the productsand is paid a salary from DEF. Atthe end of the year, profits generatedfrom these operations are distributedamong the SHG members. At the time ofmlA activities have also helped to remove/reduce separation. mlA, in collaborationwith de, proving iCt-basedsupport in CwiCtrC, where all theweavers are working together reducingspatial separation. mlA has also introduceda card punching machine, ChiC,CArpet and CAd software tool, which ishelping reduce designing time leading toreduction in temporal separation. the entirecost of this technical setup has beenborne by ministry of it, thus helping indirectlyreduce market separations in theChanderi market. Besides, mlA and deFare providing training and supply technicalequipments, which actually help theweavers reduce/ remove knowledge/ capabilityseparation. mlA has been instrumentalin developing, implementing, andoperating the e-health project that aimsto keep the weavers healthy at all timesand ensure that no setback occurs totheir regular incomes. mlA has also beeninstrumental in promoting tourism atChanderi by operationalizing the tourismwebsite and providing mobile-based informationto tourists.writing this case, the economy of theChanderi weavers was estimated by DEFto be approximately Rs 150 crores, ahuge leap from around Rs 70 crores inless than 3 years.Broadly speaking, there are three stagesin the supply chain- sourcing, manufacturing,and retailing. At each stage ofthe supply chain, DEF has reducedmarket separations. After DEF came toChanderi it provided over 30 handloommachines to the poorest weavers enablingthem to weave and earn a livelihood,thus reducing spatial andfinancial separations. Raw material isanother important aspect of weaving.Here DEF provides linkages, whichagain helps remove/ reduce the separations.Weavers play the main role inFrom Market Separation to Market Development at Bottom of India’s Socio-Economic PyramidA CAse study on digitAl empowerment FoundAtion’s ChAnderiyAAn projeCt15