About Us Details

About Us

        During the Second World War, when there was a shortage of goods and prices skyrocketed, the government imposed restrictions on the distribution of goods to provide relief to the public, so a cooperative society was established to request the government to make the raw materials used in the zari industry such as copper-silver-gold, silk and dyes-chemicals available to the public at reasonable prices. This society is The Surat Jari Goods Producers Co. Operative Society Ltd., which was registered in 6-12-1944. The society has established a rolling mill at Udhna to meet the requirements of the members for copper ingots.

        Initially there were only 61 members. The initial share capital of this organization promoted by artisans and traders was Rs. 14,780. The first founder president of this organization was Shri Ahmedbhai Abdelali Ziauddin. Since then, the society has been successfully managed for 82 consecutive years with the cooperation of its members.

        Today, the number of members of this organization is more than four thousand seven hundred. You can see that this organization has become a pillar in the textile industry, and after purchasing raw materials like gold-silver-copper-silk and dyes-chemicals, it distributes them to the members on a profit-loss basis. In addition, it also lends money to the members for the development of their business.

The objectives of the society

  • (1) To procure the required electrolytic copper, acid, cotton, silk and artificial silk yarns etc. and all the necessary equipment related to the zari industry for the members.
  • (2) Required information about the Jari industry... (a) Raw materials (b) Preparation goods (a) Buying and selling of pottery tools and machinery.
  • (3) To make arrangements for lending money to members on the basis of goods.
  • (4) To undertake activities that will help the industrial and business activities of the members and, if necessary, to open and operate factories, to purchase other metals, process them and sell them.
  • (5) To undertake such other activities as may be conducive to the general economic, social and educational advancement of the members and to the achievement of the objectives set out in (1) to (4).
  • (6) If the Managing Committee deems it necessary, it may decide to lend raw materials for the industry to the members on credit.

Bill Finance

For the purchase of raw materials, a "Goods Bill Finance" of up to Rs. 3,00,000/- is provided against the member's own direct purchase bill of any raw material used in the zari industry.

01 Jat – Jamin (Cash) Loan

With the aim of helping small industrialists financially in the business sector, collateral loan is provided up to a limit of Rs. 1,00,000/-.

02 Term Loan (Against Property)

"Term loan" is given to the members against the value of immovable property within the limit of Rs. 5,00,000/-.

03 Provision of raw materials at reasonable prices for members (goods credit)

The society makes copper wire spools from copper coils as per the requirement of the zari industry and provides copper to the members at very reasonable prices. And also sells German brass wire spools, gold and silver ingots as per the requirement of the members at very reasonable prices. It leads direct benefits to the members, whiles indirect benefits to the stake holders who are not the member of the society.

History Of Jari Industry

        Nowhere, it is mentioned, the origin of Jari and jari industry. But from citation in Veda, Upanishad, Ramayana, Mahabharat and Samhitas, it can be concluded that Jari is an ancient art and is originated in India. So it is an ancestral industry of “Bharatvarsh”.

        Narration is found about Zari cloths in voyage of Magasthenes as well as in various western literatures. The origin and existence of jari industry dates back to ancient time, but required its zenith in Mogul period, it is believed.

        In the Medieval period, under the pantronage of Moghul Emperors and Princely protection, the indusrty was well settled and ad also acquired export market in the west. Surat, at that time known as "CHORASI BUNDER NO VAVTO" was having sea connections with almost all major countries of the world. During period of Moghul and thereafter, Surat was the largest and important port on west cost of India.

        In 1614, The British - East India Company came to Surat, as it was the business, commercial and industrial center on West coast of India. East India Company first established their factory in Surat. Jari being an article of wear and ornamentation, it was very much liked by the European Community. Thus the port of Surat played a decisive role in establishment of Jari Industry.

        Surat at that time was not only famous for its Jari Industry, but also reputed for pure silk cloth popularly known as Gaji Silk, and Mashru, Jewellery, Cotton clothing from surrounding districts. The other handicrafts of Surat were Ivory carving work, Sandalwood engraving work, Brass and other inlay work on wood, Lacquer work etc.

        In Mogul days, Surat was a prosperous port which was connected by road with Agra having established heavy trade between the two cities. The people from various parts of country were attracted to do business and establish industry in Surat, for equitable opportunities, Enhanced perspective and racial diversity.

        Besides from trading center, the port of Surat was also an important center for jari for pilgrims who visited during to and fro voyages of Haj. The pilgrims were interested in Tanchhoi, Gold borders, Alluring Jari Embroideries and other various handicrafts.

        This regulars patronage of Haji, Sheikh and Moghul kings combined to foster classes of artisans and craftman who turned out beautiful and artistically designed finished product of Silver thread and Gold thread for producing beautiful brocades, borders and embroideries.

        Prior to Moghul period exports of jari thread was there but during Moghul regime and early British rule it has reached its peak. During this period Surat was popularly known as Jari City.

        As far as the artisans for producing Zari materials are concerned, 95% of them are Hindu and are from one backward community known as RANA (Gola Rana). The artisans produce the Zari product, which is raw material in textile industry, for value-addition. They produce various types of raw materials(Zari) which will be used by its others ancillary industry like…, and so on. Units of this ancillary industry spread out are over India. Every town and villages have small units carrying on its manufacturing activities.

        Like other industries jari Industry also has faced ups and downs and struggled to survive. premitive manufacture remained as Hindu Origin and other ancillary industry were developed and mastered by various sect including Hindu, Muslim, Parsi, Christian, Sikh....

        The Government desires to give protection to this industry but due to secrecy nature of industry, the artisans does not help the desire to be materialized. On the other hand Government is giving promotion to exports by allowing drawback on copper content in Jari. At other State and Central Government is collecting heavy tax on raw materials and intermediates used by the Industry. The Government should consider refund of this also like drawback so as to enable exporter of our country to stand in keem cut-throat competition in International Market.