Mahaguthi & Sana Hastakala: Shopping with a Conscience in Lalitpur
Kupondole, Lalitpur, is the epicenter of Nepal’s Fair Trade movement. Organizations like Mahaguthi and Sana Hastakala are transforming traditional crafts into sustainable global businesses.
The Business Story
- Mahaguthi: Founded in 1923 by social reformer Tulsi Mehar Shrestha, who was mentored by Mahatma Gandhi. Today, 68% of its sales revenue goes directly back to the artisans.
- Sana Hastakala: Established in 1989 with UNICEF support to market the products of home-based women artisans.
Employment Opportunities in 2026 The handicraft sector provides a unique “Impact Sourcing” model, focusing on:
- Vocational training for marginalized women (80–100 new artisans annually)
- Modern marketing roles to digitize traditional art sales
