Articles by Eugen de Boer

On May 11th people, organizations and groups worldwide celebrate the World Fair Trade Day to create public awarenes.

The World Fair Trade Organization says about this day on their website:

“The World Fair Trade Day is an initiative of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) that takes place on 11 May 2013. It is a worldwide festival of events celebrating Fair Trade as a tangible contribution to the fight against poverty, climate change and the economic crisis that has the greatest impact on the world’s most vulnerable populations. A third of the world’s population lives on less than two dollars a day. The global crisis confirms the need for a fair and sustainable economy locally and globally. Trade must benefit the most vulnerable and deliver sustainable livelihoods by developing opportunities for small and disadvantaged producers. Millions of producers and traders, business and policy makers, supporting organizations and volunteers have contributed to the substantial growth of Fair Trade.  Fair Trade makes a difference. Fair Trade Organizations are pioneers and change makers.”

This is the reason why we are passionate about Fair Trade products!

We would also like to add a few specific points to the ones mentioned above.

• We want to support artisans and conserve Indian tradional arts and crafts. As the lifestyle is chaning fast in developing countries and more and more people eager to live a “western” life they tend to forget their own roots. We wish that buy selling more of these products the young generation in India will understand the value of their culture.
• We want to demonstrate that Fair Trade can be trendy and it is not only a model for small NGO´s and groups in niche areas.
• We hope bring quality products to Europe that are unique and stylish – at the same time we can support the artisans in India.
• We want to support local projects with the profits made from the business. Our customers have the option of choosing which project they would like to support.
• We want to offer greater flexibility to wholesalers and retailers as well as single buyers! We can offer customized solutions to different target audiences.

Fair Trade is the way to go!

What is that attracts that many seekers from Western cultures to India? Often it is the search for meaning in life, the longing for a guru and the interest in ancient wisdom that is calling people to India.

As the famous yoga teacher Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa once said in an interview: In India the question, whether God exists or not, is not at all relevant. For Indians belief and spiritual life are so natural, that this question would not make any sense at all. The more relevant question would be:

In which FORM does one worship and honor the divine?

Spirituality any visitor would notice very soon is visible everywhere. It is probably impossible to find any room that is not located next to a temple, mosk or church. Early wake up will be guaranteed in any case! Again it is just the form that differs…

As birthplace of some of the world’s major religious traditions; namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, India is a place of huge diversity when it comes to spiritual life.

Whether you drive in a rickshaw or a bus, whether you go to buy your groceries or visit any official institution – you can immediately recognize which religion the owner or group follows. Hindu deities with colourful blinking lights and garlands, Jesus-figures and guru-pictures are commonly found accessories along other images of masters and teachers. You may even find a mix of various religious elements.

In India there seems to be no conflict between them. As the Sikhs would say: There is only ONE creation.Everything falls under that umbrella (if you are aware or it or believe it or not!). We are all brothers and sisters and all children of that one Creator.

That is probably the reason, why so many of us westerners experience an unseen sense of TRUST in this country. A certain doubt that we experience in our rational world simply vanishes in India. And we reach a point where instead of analyzing and thinking we can open up for the experience of being.

The so-called Bodhi Tree is a fig tree, but not every Ficus religiosacan be called a ‘Bodhi tree’:

A ‘Bodhi tree’ must be retraceable to its parent, another Bodhi tree, and the line of heritage goes on unto the first Bodhi tree under which Lord Gautama Buddha is said to have gained enlightenment.

 The Ficus Religiosa has distinctive heart-shaped leaves and bears small figs that turn from green to purple. The trunk can have a diametre of 9.8 ft, and its total height can be up to 98ft.

In Sanskrit, Bodhi means “wisdom”, “enlightened”, and as a Sinhalization Bo or Peepal in India. The tree is native to India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, southwest China and Indochina.

 The Buddhist legend tells that Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment (bodhi) while meditating underneath the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, North India. The Sri Maha Bodhi’s planting date goes back to 288 BCE; that is the oldest verified age for any flowering plant (angiosperm).

Sadhus meditate beneath sacred fig trees and Hindus do pradakshina, a worship by circambulation: Seven pradakshinas are done around the tree in the morning time chanting “Vriksha Rajaya Namah”, “Salutation to the King of Trees”.

Ficus religiosa is used in traditional medicine for about 50 types of disorders including asthma, diabetes, diarrhea, epilepsy, gastric problems, inflammatory disorders, infectious and sexual disorders.

The Soul of India would like to introduce you to a traditional pattern that can be found in cloth design almost everywhere:

The Paisley pattern is a design that uses the boteh, a droplet-shaped vegetable motif of Persian or Indian origin. These designs became very popular in the West in the 18th and 19th centuries and  followed imports of post-Mughal versions of the design from British India, for example on Cashmere shawls.

Design scholars call the distinctive shape boteh and believe it is the convergence of a stylized floral spray and a cypress tree, symbol of life and eternity.

In Bengali (Bangla), the Paisley design is known as Kolke, in Pakistan, Paisley designs are widely termed the Carrey design. Carrey in Urdu means mango seed. In Punjab, this pattern is referred to as an “Ambi”. Ambi is derived from the word Amb which means mango in Punjabi.In Tamil Nadu, the design is known as Mankolam (Mango design). The traditional design is also used in gold jewelleries.

The manga maalai (Mango necklace)with matching earrings is a traditional bharathanatyam/temple jewellery.It is a prominent design in Kanchipuran silk sarees. It resembles a mango and has sometimes been associated with Hinduism.

Resembling a twisted teardrop, the pattern is of Iranian origin, but its western name derives from the town of Paisley in central Scotland, where the designs were produced.

Quilt-makers call it “Persian Pickles”.

Find the pattern on our website!

Indian festivals never lack colour, but the Holi-festival definetly beats all the other ones as it is ALL about colour!

The festivals find a detailed description in early religious works such as Jaimini’s Purvamimamsa-Sutras and Kathaka-Grhya-Sutras. The Holi word originated from “Holika”. The ancient legend of Holika and Prahlad tells the story of victory of good over evil. Prahlad has to fight the demon king Hiranyakashyap, who tries everything to kill him supported by his sister Holika. Finally Prahlad, who keeps reciting a protecting mantra, survives and Holika burns in a fire.

Every year, thousands of Hindus participate in the festival Holi. The festival has many purposes. First and foremost, it celebrates the beginning of the new season, spring. Originally, it was a festival that commemorated good harvests and the fertile land. Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying spring’s abundant colors and saying farewell to winter.

Holi is normally celebrated and played with colorful powders that are throughn into the air. Like this entire streets are covered under colourful clowds.  Boundaries between cast and creed disappear as people of all backrounds gather on the streets to celebrate. The festival has become so popular now, that the concept has spread all over the world. Holi-celebrations are organized in different cities like Berlin. Fun will be guaranteed!

When you google Indian Art you often find pictures and reports about Native Americans.

Sorry Mr. Columbus, the Soul of India would like to provide information about genuine Indian art and artisanry in a coconutshell.

We know that art mirrors the social, political and religious situation of a country. Indian art shows the evolution of a civilization of remarkable creators and innovators in many different ways. Therefore, the Government of India aims at preserving the cultural heritage by creating a consciousness for art in its people and by encouraging high standards of expression.

As the cultural and philosophical heritage of India is closely intertwined with the tradition of art, it can even be called an amalgamation of indigenous and foreign influence.

Why Indian art is of unique character:

It features spirals and curvaceous lines, vines and tendrils, round figures, circular amulets, colourful gems, arches and domes, haloed figures, crescent moons and, again and again, pictures of the glorious sun. Sculptures and paintings mirror the diversity, colour and spontaneity of the country and its population, and they also represent the all-embracing nature and the integral Indian way of life.

And that’s why we like it. 

Rise and shine: It’s International Womens’ Day!

The 8th of March has become a day on which the world celebrates and honours the existence, achievements and emancipation of women. In other words: It’s a day that boosts the idea of gender equality in society.

In 1910 the Second International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen decided to establish this holiday. Men traditionally honour their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues and friends with flowers and gifts.

Its importance and impact on societal change in the world can be easily realized when looking at patriarchal hierarchies, in which women still have a lowly societal status despite their talents and knowledge, even today.

Gentlemen: Celebrate the contributions and value women bring to the workplace, local culture and your lives!

We from the Soul of India wish all women a happy day full of joy and inspiration. Rise and shine!

Check out this great video on how far we’ve come:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eaf_X9qSeVY#!

Find out how and where Womens’ Day is celebrated around the globe:

http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

One of the main motivations behind starting “The Soul of India” was the idea of changing the existing market to one that is more socially just and fair. The big question was:

What kind of action is required to not only benefit some small local projects and a handful of artisans but to actually create a bigger shift that would transform the entire market permanently? What would make the big companies that are ruling the market become more conscious and adapt more ethical and sustainable business practices?

During his numerous travels to India Eugen saw many local artists and artisans producing great art and handicraft items but often under poor working conditions. At the same time it seemed that small fair trade organizations and NGO´s where not very powerful in creating a lasting change. Rules and regulations make it difficult for them to operate. Often their impact is limited to small projects and the products are sold only in small World-shops in the western countries. The selections of these shops are often quite small, in the worst case old-fashioned and not of good quality.

This vision of creating something more impactful, that would create a win-win situation for the artisans, producers and customers at the same time, ultimately manifested as a business idea and  “The Soul of India” was born.

But what sets us apart from others who have started fair trade organizations?

The vision of The Soul of India is to influence the big players, establish lasting business relationships and then guide them towards a new ethical, sustainable and fair business model. The math is simple and reminds of the “Carrot Mob” principal: If we can succeed in creating a demand for fair trade products on a bigger scale, the companies will be willing to follow. At the same time we can provide the customers around the world with more trendy products.

The five most important goals of our work are:

• Improve the life and working conditions of laborers and artisans.
• Make manufacturers aware of the importance of Fair Trade.
• Keep Indian Art alive for the long term.
• Help foreign buyers to get connected with Fair trade activities.
• To make Fair Trade a fancy label and reliable partner.

In the next step we would also like to give customers the option of choosing more freely which project they want to support in particular.  In this way we can establish more personal connections and customers can be actively involved in the process.

There is still a lot that needs to be done to reach our goal. But we are convinced that step by step we can create a real triple-bottom-line-business model that is good for the people and the planet.

Gandhi´s famous quote summarizes it quite well: Be the change you want to see in the world.

Welcome to be part of this project!

Inspired by the wooden Gandhi-figure that we have in our store…

1889 an elegant young man walked the streets of London. The only difference between him and his kin was the colour of his skin. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi studied law, took dance classes and learned French to become the perfect Gentleman. Today, everybody knows him as the legendary skinny yogic Indian freedom fighter who was a charismatic leader and founder of a new world view.

At school, however, he was a quite shy boy with moderate marks. He even had to repeat a class at 14, because he was married to a girl the same age and was said to have been distracted. After graduating cum laude, Gandhi went to England and studied. A change of lifestyle came to pass when he suddenly started budgeting himself and saving money.

After a sudden and successless start as a lawyer in India, the mostly speechless attorney worked in Africa for a while where he had to face discrimination. His successful engagement for Indians in the same situation led to his prosecution and a relocation to India.

His passive resistance, meaning either his famous famine strikes or the call of his fellow countrymen to demonstrations would from then on characterise and at the same time threaten his life over and over again.

Transcendency led him to the pursuit of his main goals in life: thruthfulness and justice through selflessness. He devoted his life and work to India and its independency.

Gandhi was assassinated during a peaceful demonstration in 1948.

for The Soul of India by  Stephanie Krießmann