Fair Trade and Gandhi's Pacifism
Mahaguthi Craft with a Conscience is a non-profit organisation helping marginalised and disadvantaged producers to improve their quality of life in Nepal.

Mahaguthi was founded by Tulsi Mehar Shrestha, born in 1896 and exiled in India in 1920, due to his work aimed at the empowerment of women and people belonging to the most disadvantaged castes. During his exile in India Tulsi Mehar Shrestha met Mahatma Gandhi and became even more inspired to continue with his mission. In 1924, he returned to Nepal and founded “Shree Tin Chandra Kamdhenu Charkha Pracharak Mahaguthi” children’s centre. Later he created the “Nepal Gandhi Smarak Nidhi” to commemorate Ghandi. The two organisations merged in 1973 to form the “Nepal Charkha Pracharak Gandhi Smarak Mahaguthi”. Since 1984, Mahaguthi Craft with a Conscience has been one of its member organisations.

Mahaguthi supports around 150 producer groups with a total of 1200 artisans. Mahaguthi aims to create a self-help network among these producers, while seeking to preserve their traditions and to improve education and health care in their communities. All producers receive financial and technical assistance, and particularly disadvantaged artisans receive health and education services. Most producers work at home. Special attention is given to women in difficulties, who are offered housing and free primary education for their children.

Thanks to fair trade Mahaguthi is able to offer a fair remuneration to all producer partners. As a result the producers are becoming progressively more independent and are gradually expanding their economic activities.