We very often take life for granted and forget to appreciate a lot of things. To begin with, we focus more on the brands that we buy rather than how our clothes are actually manufactured.

Reports say that fashion is stated as the second most corrupt industry. Involving certain exploitive measures while fashion and its fabrics are dealing with their own profits, the farmers who are the main producers of these fabrics are committing suicide due to poverty. To make the consumers know their producers and empower them, Fairtrade joined hands with Vidyashilp School in Hebbal. This 25-year-old global movement keeps a check on the standards of the product and certifies the liable ones.

Abhishek, CEO of Fairtrade India, says “Consumers are allowed to make their own choice. They are also supposed to be aware of the makers who are working in an unhealthy atmosphere. The production here empowers the farmers, avoids child labour, increases economic sustainability, maintains standards, uses a lower percentage of chemicals and pesticides, not completely organic but surely less toxic.”

Fashion Revolution is observed on 24th April every year in remembrance of the Dhaka incident in Bangladesh. Due to the collapse of the Rana Plaza complex factory six years ago, 1,133 garment factory workers were killed, and over 2,500 were injured. The production in such exploitative conditions caused deaths in huge numbers. Vidyashilp School, on this day, asked people to wear their clothes and ask their favorite brand this important question: #WhoMadeMyClothes and #WhoMadeMyClothes. This year it was taken up by 2500 students from Vidyashilp School.

Kalai Selvi, the head of the school, says “Students are the ambassadors for tomorrow’s future, and their initiative leads to a great change. Being aware helps in minimizing the risk, recognizing the right one, and not paving the way for the exploitation of farmers or their wages. Education helps in connecting and the active students, not only in the school but also in spreading awareness in their surroundings and communities.”

Aymen Ahmed, a 7th grader and a member of the steering committee, says he is proud to interact with the farmers live and get to know about them with the help of Fairtrade. Aymen adds “I got to see their smiles and hard work behind the production. Being a consumer, it is good to know your producer of daily essentials. I also mention it to society to look into it and learn about it. Be a part of the wellness and spread as much as you can.”

Vivana Amrolia, an 11th grader and a member of the steering committee, says “this useful campaign is for a cause and we want society to recognize it and be a reason for change. This has mutual benefits. For customers, it is the right choice and the right price with healthy material, and for farmers, it is the right wages and prices. Citizens must really be aware of the reasons for farmer suicides in this agricultural country, and I feel we are doing a part by asking who made this?”

Shantanu Garg, an 11th standard student and a member of the steering committee, so excitingly shared “these are the set of objectives we spread awareness about. The consumers must know the makers behind their choices and also have the right to question their brands. The ethical ways of fabric production by the farmers must not be exploitative. We want to do our bit for society by promoting brands that do not involve such steps.”

Their live interaction with the farmers from Gujarat, the producers of the uniforms, helps them understand the depth of production and its process. Four students from the steering committee of the school will be going to Germany to observe the production process in the country and visit schools to understand their knowledge of farmers and consuming brands.

The news was published in Deccan Chronicle.