Shristi was established in 1998 as an initiative which was based on the philosophy that all professionals have a moral duty and responsibility for giving back to society without any expectation of any kind of returns. Service to society has been Shristi´s motto. The organization was established by Late Sh. Sudipto Mukherjee, a very talented and visionary chemical engineer with the objective of enhancing socio-economic conditions in rural as well as urban backgrounds through appropriate interventions and capacity-building. Shristi has a team of committed and expert professionals in technical, management, legal, statistical, economics, marketing and logistics sectors. The team members are regularly exposed to national and international training and skill-development programs so as to keep them abreast with the latest happenings. They believe in teamwork, creativity, and sustainability, and recognize the significant role they play with donors, supporters and collaborators forming new environments. They believe climate change and environmental conservation are common challenges in which interfaith harmony can bring a fresh appeal and voice for taking proactive measures.
In past two decades, Shristi has engaged with artisans and youth in 15 states for training, capacity-building on innovative products and solutions through design interventions, integrated technology workshops (non-IT based), and entrepreneurship development programs in both rural and urban settings. The focus sectors included handicrafts from local raw material sources, water, renewable energy, arts and crafts, and medical aids. Shristi has successfully implemented a multi-craft Common Facility Centre (CFC) for artisans in Barasat, West Bengal with the grant-in-aid of the Development Commission (for handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India. Production of terracotta items at the CFC has been going full-scale since June, 2006. Production of cane and bamboo and natural fiber products is also in full swing and these products are in high demand in the market. The cluster has shown positive growth, thereby ensuring wellbeing of its artisan members and their families with augmented income from sales of products. For more information visit their website: https://www.shristi.org.in