Dignity
Project Dignity aims to honour and elevate the status of construction workers by celebrating their expertise and contributions. This project documents their work through short videos where the workers serve as subject matter experts, showcasing their knowledge and skills. By doing so, it seeks to bring dignity to their profession and highlight their invaluable role in the construction industry.
In 2023-24, the pilot for Dignity was also conducted in Mumbai, with fellows participating as videographers and interviewers to document the crafts of the worker’s and help us create bite-sized lessons to disseminate through internet and social media. The first set includes 13 short video lessons by workers explaining specialised works from all stages of construction
Bridging Theory and Practice in Construction
Please write to us, at shrama@ethosfoundation.in
Please write to us, at shrama@ethosfoundation.in
for suggestions, and if you are interested in being a Dignity volunteer and contributing with skills of videography, editing, and translations, to bring change to the lives of our Shramiks.
2023 Dignity Series
Dignity through Knowledge
Learn from the Hands That Build
While the construction industry in India is the second-largest employer, a closer look reveals the harsh realities faced by those at its core—construction workers. Conversations with these workers, who build our cities and infrastructure, often uncover a deep sense of disillusionment; many express that they would not want their children to follow in their footsteps. The reason is simple—they feel no sense of achievement or dignity in their work.
This highlights an urgent need to recognize and appreciate their labor, value their expertise, and honor the immense contributions they make to society. Through Project Dignity, we aim to amplify their voices by sharing their life stories and craftsmanship with the public. By documenting their skills and experiences, we strive to celebrate their knowledge and ensure they are heard, valued, and respected, restoring the dignity they rightfully deserve.
2023 Fellows
Ar Vinay Katariya
Harikrishna Nair
Pratik Dalvi
What the fellows say
“ It was truly eye-opening to hear about the shramiks’ lives, challenges, and aspirations.”
Ar Vinay Katariya
“Understanding who works for us, on our sites- our construction workers- is important for us.”
