The idea was incepted in 1994, to provide an alternative to the dependency on agriculture, which was causing caused immense damage to the eco-system. A weaving center was set up to demonstrate that handloom weaving could be viable and profitable in the region. Charaka was started with 30 women workers, and this number has grown to 800. The women plan their own production schedules and consequently there is a high sense of ownership amongst the cooperative's members. The women are their own paymasters. They draw a decent living wage, give themselves a small bonus every year, eat subsidised food, have health insurance and take home loans.