One of the pleasures of working in microfinance is that we get to interact with those who are close to our culture and heritage. Many borrowers in VFS have got into business to keep our rich heritage alive. There are numerous gems that we can unearth from our past that can put India at the peak of the world.

One of such gems is Muga silk. Muga has always been popular in the garment industry because of its quality. It is said that the shine of the fabric improves after each wash which helps the product last a lifetime, making Muga one of the costliest silks in the world.

Sericulture is an ancient practice in Assam and finds mention in the Ramayana. However, evidence of organised Muga silk production goes back to the Ahom dynasty, when the rulers of Chutiya offered the golden fabric as a peace offering to the Ahoms, after which the Ahom kings not only started wearing only Muga silk but also proudly presented it to royal visitors as one of the finest local offerings. Muga production thrived, quickly becoming an integral part of the social and economic lives of the locals.

Muga silk is mainly produced in Assam from silkworms, Antheraea Assamensis, which are fed the leaves of Som and Soalu plants. Muga silk secured the GI or geographical indication tag in 2007.

We learnt that a silk farmer needs at least 2.5-3 acres of land to get about 1,000 grams of Muga silk at a go, which is roughly what is required to weave a single saree. That would mean that one saree would be made from roughly 8,000 silkworm cocoons. The time taken to weave a Muga silk saree is roughly two months, from rearing the silkworm to obtaining the finished product. The weaving process takes approximately a week to complete.

Rina Boro of Barghopa, Assam, is a microfinance customer of Village Financial Services who weaves Muga mekhela chador and sarees. She was already a trained weaver who approached us with the dream of setting up her unit. She had a defined plan of setting up three weaving machines at one go. “It is not possible for me to grow alone. I need to employ others as well,” was her vision when she discussed her plans with us.

Needless to say, just like most women entrepreneurs of VFS, she also had to devote time to her family—her mother-in-law, husband and two children. Three years into her association with us, Rina Boro, lives in her own house and has also purchased a motorcycle for her husband.

We are sure that Muga silk will remain a classic item that every person desires to own, not only in the Indian community but beyond. The fabric has a global appeal, especially in Japan where designers use it to make kimonos and other traditional Japanese dresses.

We are also sure that VFS will keep contributing to ensure that the global footprint of such treasures of the Indian heritage spreads through the dedicated efforts of its customers.