When you step into the village of Khiwai, you step into a special place where tradition meets determination. A decade ago, women Artisans were confined to their homes and lacked access to education, so were easy targets to become exploited for their craft. One visionary woman named Mosmeen yearned for change and took action. With the support of Tara Projects, one of Noonday’s Artisan Business Partners in India, in 2003 Mosmeen founded her own workshop that has become a symbol of independence for many women.

Guided by Tara Projects, the women learned art, accounting, and literacy, expanding their opportunities. Today, twenty-one Artisans, mostly women, champion their craft. No longer confined, the women of the workshop now have a space where creativity flourishes. Within the workshop’s walls, tradition meets transformation, and every creation carries the legacy of empowerment.

In 2023, India surpassed China to become the most populous country in the world, with 1.4 billion people. Its people represent incredible cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity, as do the country’s twenty-eight states. India has made great contributions to higher math, is the home of chess, and boasts the world's largest film industry (Bollywood). The country has a rich history of handcrafts dating back to 5000 BC, including techniques like weaving, pottery, jewelry-making, and metalworking