Hand made paper goes through several processes including sorting, chopping, dusting, pulping, sheet formation, pressing, drying, calendaring and cutting. Paper is produced in numerous metal plants with appropriate technologies, but the majority of the operation calls for manpower. With an adept worker deftly going about her work with speed and efficiency, the newly finished handmade papers are piled high. The paper making unit is not metaphorically "a mechanical mill", but more in the nature of a small family owned factory breathing amiability and warmth. Friendly working women in colourful saris are most welcoming. Despite the suddenness of my request, they pleasantly consented to be interviewed on their working experiences in TARA Paper.

Interviews were conducted by way of a group discussion and individual interviews were carried out for impact assessment as part of documentation of TARA Paper project. The purpose of the assessment was to grasp both the negative and positive impacts of the activity on women and the surroundings. The first key finding was that TARA handmade paper has made great positive impact on the livelihood of participating women and their households. They said living conditions had improved in areas of daily food, health care, childrens’ education and clothing. Greater independence, increased decision-making, greater control of resources, and more equality in the home – were some of the gains mentioned by several women. On the other hand, they made a point of their current low salary and put in a request for an increase in production. (Their salaries fluctuate between INR 1,200-1,800 based on monthly production output and individual experience level.)

These cases indicate how TARA Paper has contributed to improve lives of poor women and their families over a decade. A woman in poverty does not only mean she is hungry, suffers scarcity and want but with it comes a denial of rights, deprived opportunities and voices lost in the wilderness. If women do not have control over money, they cannot choose to spend for health care for themselves or their children. An entire generation can thus get affected. On the other hand, when women are able to contribute to the household income, it brings in a lot more than just economic empowerment. The extra income can be invested for children’s better nutrition, education and health care. Economic achievement gives a certain confidence and self-esteem. Empowered women tend to gain greater respect within the family and eventually it paves the way to a change in the general perception and attitude toward women in society.

In addition to these remarkable achievements of TARA Paper, it is worthwhile mentioning that women in TARA Paper expressed high motivation to increase production volumes of handmade paper. They are all geared to receive more business orders and eager to achieve higher performance. Their sense of ownership makes them realize that they have the ability to contribute to the growth of TARA Paper. Initially the TARA Paper was launched to offer help to these marginalised women, but now skillful women have become a big asset for development of TARA Paper.

As TARA Paper women say, the recycled paper industry in India has unlimited potential for growth. Along with economic growth, industrial development and higher literacy rate, the demand for paper is increasing at an unprecedented speed. However, with the current demand on national resources, raw materials like bamboo and wood are already scarce; yet, paper recycling industry is underdeveloped due to lack of proper collection, sorting and grading of waste paper within the country. Indian paper mills that depend upon imported foreign waste paper for recycling are also facing a rise in prices because of shortage of raw material.