By Md. Sami Ahmad
In a pioneering effort to uplift the cobbler community, a Patna based NGO, Samadarsi Sahayak Sansthan, has launched the flagship initiative ‘Sadak Se Samman Tak’ (From Streets to Respect). Designed to go beyond conventional skill training, this programme aims to transform the livelihoods of cobblers by enhancing their craftsmanship, creating better job opportunities, and opening access to broader markets and social recognition.
Raghuvanshi Kumar Das, Sankar Das, Shrikant Kamal, Rajendra Das, Mithilesh Kumar Das, Arun Kumar, Lalan Kishan Mochi, Maheshwar Das, and Raghuwanshi Kumar Das have been chosen for this pilot project. They all belong to the Dalit Ravidas caste, who are Bihar’s traditional shoe menders, also known as Mochi. There are some Muslim mochis also, but their stories hardly come to notice.
This initiative is headed by the founder and director of this NGO, Shazia Quaiser. Shazia Quaiser is known for her Shoe and Leather Bag care centre named as ‘Revival’. It provides services to individuals and companies for cleaning, caring, restoring and reviving, mainly shoes, but belts and bags are also taken care of at her ‘shoe clinic.’
In an exclusive interview with Radiance, Shazia discussed the initiative and her organisation. She introduced Samdarshee Sahayak Sansthan as a women-led, minority-focused organisation in Bihar that strengthens community health, promotes dignified livelihoods, and advances gender justice. She says, “Through a rights-based and inclusive approach, we empower women, engage men as partners, expand access to education and skills, and help marginalised communities achieve sustainable self-reliance with dignity and equality.”
Here are excerpts:
Is the ‘From Streets to Respect’ scheme the only initiative for skill development of cobblers, or are there other schemes running alongside it?
The ‘From Streets to Respect’ initiative by Samadarsi Sahayak Sansthan marks a flagship effort targeting the cobbler community. Its goal goes beyond mere training; it aims to holistically improve the livelihood of cobblers by equipping them with skills, better job opportunities, market access, and social recognition. Additional activities linked to this programme will be developed based on surveys and identified needs.
What kind of training is planned for cobblers, and how will participants be selected?
Initially, a survey and needs assessment of the cobbler community are underway to determine the specific training requirements. Potential training modules include footwear repair, sole and heel work, stitching and pasting, finishing, use of modern tools, customer interaction, pricing, and small business management. Selection criteria will consider current skills, work experience, willingness to learn, and livelihood needs.
Where and how will the training be conducted?
The training model will be hands-on and practical. In the initial phase, appropriate training centres will be chosen for selected groups of cobblers, ensuring they learn by doing rather than just listening. Both classroom orientation and practical demonstrations will be provided as needed. The objective is to directly link the training to their actual work.
Who will provide the training?
Training will not depend on a single individual. Experienced technicians, master artisans from the footwear and repair sector, and specialists in business, digital skills, and customer management will be involved based on the need. Trainer selection will be aligned with the actual requirements of the cobbler community.
What is the financial backing for this initiative?
Currently, the initiative is in its early stage, with the model still being developed. The organisation is conducting preparations, surveys, and networking at its own level. For training rollout and largescale implementation, potential funding sources like CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), government schemes, and institutional partnerships are being explored. No formal funding approval has been secured yet.
How will the lives of trainees improve post-training?
The aim is not merely to award certificates. Post-training, cobblers are expected to deliver higher quality work, offer a wider range of repair and footwear services, and appropriately price their services. These will be the primary improvements. Efforts will also focus on linking them to markets, customers, and new employment opportunities.
Shazia says, “This initiative of the Sansthan is not just training cobblers; it is crafting a pathway to respect, recognition, sustainable livelihood and renewed hope for a historically deprived community.”
