Grameen Check

Grameen check ( _bn. গ্রামীণ চেক "gramin chek" "rural plaid") is a type of clothing design that is very popular in Bangladesh, and is rapidly expanding to other countries as well.Fact|date=February 2007 It mainly constitutes a pattern of squares or rectangles formed from different colors of dyed threads. Clothes with grameen check designs are mainly made of cotton fabric woven in the traditional methods by the cottage-industry workers in Bangladesh.

History

Grameen check was pioneered by Grameen Bank founder and Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The clothes and the designs were products of the same small-industry weavers he helped through Grameen Bank.

Popularity

Grameen check designs and clothings have recently become very popular in Bangladesh. Since the fabric is mostly or totally made of cotton, it has proven to be a comfortable clothing for the warm climate of the country. The design has also given the younger generation an opportunity to dress in traditional attire while still representing the present times.

Economic impact on the manufacturers

Most of the fabric of grameen check comes directly from the traditional weavers of rural Bangladesh. The popularity of grameen check means that these small businesses are thriving and weavers (mostly from traditional weaver families) are earning money from the work they are good at, rather than having to migrate to towns and cities for other jobs.

References

* [http://www.thedailystar.net/lifestyle/2004/07/03/page01.htm Mews from the Dailystar]
* [http://www.rdc.com.au/grameen/fabrics.html History]
* [http://www.gdrc.org/icm/grameen-keynote.html Grameen Check : People-Based Textile Industry]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6050418.stm BBC news]