From our distributor in Denmark

http://www.raintree.dk/

Chennai born rapper has taken the internet by storm. But why?

Anwesha Dhar   Jul 31, 2015

Kodaikanal was the site of an infamous dump discovered in 2001 when Unilever’s Indian subsidiary Hindustan Lever was found to be dumping toxic mercury waste from its thermometer factory.
Soon after unearthing the waste material and subsequent protests that followed, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board issued an order to the company to send back the toxic materials to the United States to be disposed of and recycled.
However, mercury being an element whose effect on health can be manifested even decades after exposure, the 2001 incident has far reaching implications. According to reports, just one gram of mercury deposited annually in a lake can, in the long term, contaminate a lake spread over 25 acres to the extent that fish from the lake are rendered unfit for human consumption. Till date, many workers have lost their jobs, while others continue to suffer from its ill-effects. Protests regarding compensation continue, but no substantial victory has been gained yet.
The outrage and coupled with lackadaisical attitude of the company and justice system led Chennai born rapper, Sophia Ashraf to compose a song regarding Unilever’s inaction with respect to the entire fiasco. The song is set to artist Nicki Minaj’s ‘Anaconda’ and has caught the internet by storm.

First published on http://www.thealternative.in/society/chennai-born-rapper-taken-internet-storm/ The Alternative (www.thealternative.in), an online platform for sustainability and social impact.

Fair Trade Forum - India

We are happy to share that Baladarshan's membership to Fair Trade Forum India (http://www.fairtradeforum.org/) has been approved !

https://fairtradeforumindia.wordpress.com/2015/06/17/welcome-to-new-members/

SPIRULINA / SPIRULINE

What is spirulina? 

In short, the food of the future according World Health Organization. 

1 Kg= spirulina = 1000 Kgs of various vegetables.

You want to know more?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirulina_%28dietary_supplement%29

and so many serious articles on the web....

 What is Baladarshan's spirulina?

A Fair Trade Guaranteed product that gives well paid employment to rural people in South India. They prefer to work in their native place rather than to migrate in urban slums...

A Social project, since for each kg sold, 50 g are given free to HIV patients or malnourished children.

An exceptional quality, because our spirulina is harvested once in two days so to let it ripen, because it is sun dried.


Qu'est ce que la spiruline?

En gros, la nourriture du futur d'après l'organisation mondiale de la santé.

1 Kg de spiruline = 1000 Kg de légumes variés

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthrospira
Et tellement d'autres articles sur internet...

Qu'est ce que la spiruline de Baladarshan ?

Un produit garanti équitable par l'Organisation Mondiale du Commerce Equitable qui donne du travail justement rémunéré à des villageois d'Inde du Sud. Ceux-ci préfèrent travailler chez eux plutôt que d'aller grossir les populations des bidonvilles.

Un produit qui participe d'un projet social. Pour chaque kilo vendu, 50g sont donnés gratuitement à une personne atteinte du VIH ou à un enfant malnourri.

 Une qualité exceptionnelle, parce que récoltée un jour sur deux de sorte qu'elle arrive à maturité, et séchée au soleil.

Balance your chakras

With our specially elaborated incenses, the Seven Chakras agarbathies!

Hello the World!

Thank you so much all of you, from Los Angeles to Tokyo, from London to Johannesburg, from Reykjavik to Delhi and from Seoul to Madrid with stops in Moscow, Kiev and Copenhagen, for browsing our blog!

It is really an encouragement for all of us to watch that so many are interested in our news, producers stories, etc. And coming soon... surprises!

So do not hesitate to register you as "followers" 

(just click on "Join this site" on the right side)

and to publicize our posts on your social media, facebook pages, etc. It will be really helpful to our partners, producers, to us and the Fair Trade movement.

Many thanks

Baladarshan Team

Saratha Vs Aisharya

While social activists fight again child slavery and racism in India, here is how former Miss World and movie actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan promotes Kalyan jewellers and an out of age conception of the society... Unfortunately, it speaks on a sad reality.

http://scroll.in/article/722272/open-letter-to-aishwarya-rai-bachchan-this-ad-you-figure-in-is-insidiously-racist

Baladarshan's elected Miss India, Saratha, would have been really more representative of the society...
https://www.facebook.com/WFTOFairTrade/photos/a.198818431265.138169.156465226265/10152693589491266/?type=1

Our new distributor in France

Our baskets are now also available in South France with Art India (Ph: 06 62 94 61 00 / sylvie.dailleux (at) gmail.com ) 

More stocks coming soon!

Our baskets now available in Puducherry!

No need to rush anymore to our Chennai-based showroom, you can now purchase Baladarshan's beautiful range of handwoven baskets at Kriti Eco-boutique, 6, Ambour Salai, Pondicherry. Customized orders are also undertaken!

World Fair Trade Day 2015 Press Release

  

Be an Agent for Change

  

The World Fair Trade Organization celebrates the World Fair Trade Day on 9 May 2015 with Agents for Change worldwide! Everyone who is making a difference, supports change and is interested in becoming an Agent for Change is welcome to participate in our celebration. In fact, we want you to be part of our change-making mission.

  

Fair Trade is change. Fair Trade products and the people in the Fair Trade supply chain are making a difference every minute, every time a Fair Trade product is purchased. Backed by consumers who believe in their purchasing power, Fair Trade makes positive change every day.

"Fair Trade is unstoppable. It's a growing solution to fight poverty, social injustices and climate change. Many companies and organisation worldwide are embracing Fair Trade and sustainable practices because of the growing demand for a sustainable future for all of us. At WFTO alone, Fair Trade Organisations are growing with an overall sales turnover of over €430 million for 2014. And every month we are expanding as more and more organisations are joining the Fair Trade movement and the WFTO network." - Rudi Dalvai, President of WFTO.

Let the smallest ones change the World!

On the occasion of the World Fair Trade Day (May, 9th), Baladarshan with the support of WFTO (www.wfto.com) is honoured to introduce you Saratha as Agent for Change from South India representing the emerging new world of down-trodden society.

http://wfto.com/events/2015-world-fair-trade-week-milan-italy

 “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”(Mahatma Gandhi)

Special thanks to Guillaume Navez for his beautiful pictures.

What our Patrons say...

Hi Philip,

I've received the order and I'm really happy with it all. Thanks so much.

Dominique, Justhandmaidens, Australia (21/03/2015)

Dear Philip,

 The first parcel has arrived safely and I am more than happy with the fabrics on a first glance regarding colors, patterns and quality of fabric.

 I am looking forward receiving the second parcel .

 I am very happy about the handling of my order and the product quality. This is a great base for me to continue our cooperation.

 Best regards,

Ines, Karlotta Pink, Switzerland (18/02/2015)

Thanks Philip! We love your bags.

All the best

Izabella, Queensland Art Gallery, Australia (14/02/2013)

 

Wonderful!   I have received the fabric and it is beautiful! It has been wonderful to work with you, we look forward to ordering more fabric in the future!
Sincerely,
Christina, USA (10/04/2012)

Hi Philip
Thank you so much for the batiks - they are beautiful & were well worth the wait! :-)

Alison, USA (13/08/2008)

If you are not happy with regard of products quality, timings, etc, please tell us...

If you are happy with our overall service, please tell to EVERYONE !!!

New Products!

Newly introduced, our range of 100% pure vegetal handcraft soaps made of natural and essential oils and herbal powders. 8 fragrances available. Ref. IR28.

From the same producers' group, just check our ranges of incenses, aromatherapy and masala incenses. Ref. IR20 to IR24

New kalamkari accessories! And always, contact us for kalamkari fabric in bulk hundreds of designs available!

Proudly designed by our own producers, the Thenmozhi Basket Ref. SP01 and Fruits basket Ref. SP02.

 Lovely corporate gift, the bird key-chains Ref. SH200

 From the gipsy community, a new collection of Naari jewelry made of natural seeds from the sacred Tulsi.

To inquire with us: balafairtrade(at)gmail.com