Though a modern bustling city and an important industrial centre, Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka, remains one of India’s most attractive cities. It was founded by Kampagowda in the sixteenth century  and has a  population of 4 million.  Bangalore is studded with  beautifully laid out parks and gardens, with tree line avenues imposing buildings and lively bazaars.   A salubrious climate attracts people from all over India and abroad.  Visitors in search of business opportunities flock to this city.  Pubs are mushrooming at Bangalore. Bangalore’s important industries include machines, aircrafts, electronics, computer and readymade garments.

New Horizons

In view of the growing business opportunities at  Bangalore, Development Alternatives’ business branch- Technology and Action for Rural Advancement (TARA) — established  a new outlet at 29, Jayamahal Road, Bangalore.   The shop was inaugurated on July 28, 1998 by Ashok Khosla, President, Development Alternatives. 

The first TARA shop was established in 1986 in Delhi as an outlet to exhibit and promote sales of  TARA products viz.  hand-woven cotton and silk fabrics, garments, handmade paper and paper products.  The shop is also a centre to display concept panels on various TARA technologies and written materials to generate awareness about eco-friendly   products. 

The TARA shop at Bangalore is situated at  Jayamahal, an upmarket location, surrounded by residential complexes. It is only a 10 minute drive from central Bangalore.  The shop layout is geared to accommodate the entire range of TARA products and to give an elegant look.  Earth blocks and eco-boards have been used to create shelves and counters for display.  A bamboo rod resting on two block columns acts as the garment ‘hanger.’  The TARA shop displays TARA handmade paper, paper products, handwoven cotton and silk garments, vermicompost and Jal TARA water-pollution testing kits.  In addition, concept panels describe details of TARA technologies, including  low cost building technologies.

As one of the major garment manufacturing centres in India, Bangalore has a vast potential for handmade carry bags and TARA handwoven textiles.  Madura Garments, a major player in the premium range of garments, is the first to use our eco-friendly, organic dyed fabric and handmade paper carry bags.  Bangalore has several exclusive shops which stock only eco-friendly or environment-friendly products and organic health foods.

Creating Livelihoods

TARA is the production and marketing wing of Development Alternatives - an international network dedicated to sustainable development, that is socially just and in harmony with nature.  The world headquarters of Development Alternatives and TARA are situated in New Delhi.

TARA’s range of clients includes government agencies, UN bodies, voluntary organisations, blue-chip corporations and small enterprises serving consumers in markets around the globe.

TARA, responsive to the needs of rural and urban consumers, offers a wide range of innovative technologies for the manufacture of high quality and environment friendly products.  TARA also markets the products.  Backed by strong in-house R&D and quality assurance teams as well as modern management systems, TARA is now the market leader in products for sustainable development.

Technologies Galore

TARA provides standardised technology packages, together with training and technical, financing as well as marketing support services to small enterprises.  Such TARA franchises can deliver high quality products at affordable prices to their local markets.

A glimpse of  TARA technologies is provided below.

TARA Tile Maker

Having a roof over one’s head is not an economically viable proposition for 70 percent of the people in rural India. TARA is trying to provide not only cost-effective roofs by manufacturing affordable roofing tiles to rural and peri-urban areas , but also provides training to the local people so that they set up their own micro enterprises and become self-sufficient. MCR tile-making technology is a viable business opportunity for small entrepreneurs who can earn around Rs 7,000 to  Rs 10,000  per month.

The TARA tile maker is used to produce Micro Concrete Roofing (MCR) tiles through vibration.  These are made from a carefully controlled mix of cement, sand stone and water.  A labour force of four persons can easily make up to 200 tiles a day . The TARA vibrating table and moulds (required to produce MCR tiles) are the product of intensive research and development by Development Alternative’s Technology Systems Branch, targeted to meet international standards for MCR equipment.

MCR technology has benefitted from an extensive, coordinated global research and development effort. The tiles are marketed extensively in Latin America, East and West Africa and South Asia. Each year, over ten million tiles covering an area of 800,000 square meters of roofs are installed. In India, MCR technology is promoted by TARA, in association with  SKAT of Switzerland.

TARA organises training courses in MCR tile production for executives, supervisors and masons.  The courses, which are held in New Delhi, Jhansi and Bangalore or at  one of the  many collaborating institutions in India or at the user’s site, not only deal with practical aspects, but also with business aspects, management and marketing. 

TARA Balram Mud Block Press

If you are really keen to provide shelter for each and every human being, then the only way out is to build houses with mud, even in the twenty-first century. So,  building with earth  seems to be the only sustainable solution to the habitat crisis.

The Compressed Earth Block (CEB) technology has proved to be an economical and environmentally sound masonry system, which has stood the test of time. It can be used in a variety of ways to construct buildings that are aesthetic, efficient and easy to build .Statistics reveal that in India alone, more than five million Stabilised Compressed Earth Blocks (SCEB) have been used to build residential and community buildings in both urban and   rural areas.

TARA Balram, manufactured and marketed by TARA, is a simple rugged machine that compresses ordinary soil into dense masonry units with strength and water resistance, engineered according to need. These compressed soil blocks can be used for a variety of applications in walls and roofs to make strong and durable buildings.

The standard mould of the TARA Balram produces two conventional sized blocks (23 x 10.9 x 7.6cms per cycle).  A team of six persons can easily make over 1,200 blocks per day.  With inputs of human and sunlight energy with ordinary soil as raw material, the compressed soil block provides a low and environment-friendly option for construction.

Operation process can be learnt in  a few days.  Training is provided by TARA at their centres in Delhi, Jhansi and Bangalore besides user’s sites.

Ferrocement Roofing Channel

The ferrocement  technology package for roofing developed by Development Alternatives uses state-of-the-art  design principles to manufacture reinforced shells, commonly called channels.  They  are produced on specially designed vibrating tables and profiled  moulds.  The production system is uniquely  tailored to provide special end details, consistent shape and thickness; all  crucial for high performance.  The channels made with  an optimised proportion of cement, sand and water, have a very high density, are impervious to penetration of water and provide high structural strength.  Ferrocement roofing  channels produced on mechanised equipment can be used for intermediate floor applications as well.  This technology offers a viable alternative to conventional flat roofing systems such as reinforced cement concrete, reinforced brick cement, sand stone, etc. in both rural and urban areas of the country.

Ferrocement  roofing channels are basically prefabricated elements.  The mechanised system of production uses a vibrating  table and profiled steel shell moulds.  The  production yard consists of a vibrating  table positioned under a gantry system, 6.5  mts. in width.  The  gantry is fitted with a chain  and a pulley system  for ease of handling of shell moulds.  A production team consisting of two masons, six semi-skilled workers and a supervisor can produce upto five channels of 4.6 mts. length each in an eight hour operation. 

TARA Concrete Block Making Machine

Concrete  Block Technology offers a speedier, cost-effective, environmentally sound  alternative to conventional walling materials.  It is based on the principle of densification of a lean concrete mix to make a regular shaped, uniform, high performance masonry unit.  Concrete Block Technology can  be easily adapted  to suit special needs of users by modifying design parameters such as mix proportion, water/cement ratio and type of production system.  It is an effective means of utilising  wastes generated by stone crushers, quarrying and stone processing units.  The technology has high potential in areas where raw materials are easily available.

Concrete blocks are usually produced using  a semi-mechanised stationary type machine.  The other production systems are - manual moulds which require hand tamping, a mobile semi-mechanised egg-laying and a fully mechanised system which combines compression and vibration.

High quality machines provide optimum vibration in the mix so that the ratio of cement used can be reduced substantially without compromising  on the strength of the blocks.  The machine also compacts and consolidates  the mix so that the blocks are uniform in size and  attain desired physical properties.  The blocks are cured for a minimum period of 14 days, before they are ready to use.  On an average 600 -800 blocks can be made in eight hours by one skilled and six-eight semi-skilled workers.

TARA Handmade Paper

The manufacturing systems of the TARA hand-made paper technology are carefully optimised to produce paper of the highest quality at competitive prices.

TARA mini paper recycling system is designed for schools, voluntary organisations, hobby shops and vocational training.  To promote the awareness of handmade recycled paper, TARA has devised a technology package for a small scale recycling system.

The basic raw material for manufacture of handmade paper consists of cotton rags, denim waste, craft waste and waste paper.

The TARA handmade paper and paper products are in high demand globally because of their eco-friendly attributes, aesthetic appeal and uniqueness.  Some of these ready to use products made of handmade paper are - lamp shades, gift boxes, carry bags, lap top boxes, files, letter pads, diaries as well as conference bags. 

TARA Handlooms and Accessories

TARA weaving machines incorporate many innovative features to improve the efficiency and productivity of the weaver and the quality of the woven fabric, with minimal training. 

TARA has achieved a breakthrough in the handloom technology by inventing a powerloom that needs no electric power.  A new generation weaving machine - The TARA Loom incorporates many advanced features to improve the efficiency of the weaver and the quality of woven fabric with existing levels of operational skills.  The manually operated TARA loom combines versatility with ease of operation. It is ergonomically designed so that it conforms to the traditional workmanship to produce more and better quality fabrics. 

TARA textiles have unusually uniform weave and represent the best synthesis of powerloom and traditional fabrics.  Elegant designs by master crafts people in both ethnic and contemporary design,  are now in vogue everywhere.

TARA Pollution Testing Kits

Jal TARA and Pawan TARA portable testing kits for water and air, are being widely used for regularly monitoring of environmental quality and to create environmental awareness.

In addition to the manufacturing and marketing of eco-friendly technologies and products, TARA provides consultancy services, training and feasibility project reports.  It takes turnkey projects of land and water management, low cost constructions, renewable energy power plants and income generating enterprises. 

TARA is an effort towards converting appropriate industrial processes into sustainable professions and useful, marketable products. The technologies promoted by TARA literally cover the whole range of the rheostat. You name it and they have it. The basic premise behind the success of this technological venture is to select, research, develop and propagate appropriate technologies which could be converted into trades for millions and provide them sustainable livelihoods and satisfy their basic needs. q

Back to Contents