"I used to help my father during the holidays. I gradually learned the art and... became involved in my family's line of work."

"Hello, my name is Rajendra and I was born on May 26, 1955. My family has a long relationship with Indian white metal handicrafts. When he was young, my grandfather worked at repairing products. When my father grew up, he joined his father and they started crafting white metal objects for home decor.

"As a child, I remember I used to help my father during the holidays. I gradually learned the art and, after completing my 10th standard [10th grade] in 1975, I became professionally involved in my family's line of work. I could not pursue further studies due to financial problems, and all my family responsibilities rested on me. I had to earn enough to get my sister and brother married. According to Indian tradition, the eldest of the family often takes on the responsibility of looking after the younger ones.

"We create a variety of amazing decorative items, and I have participated in a number of exhibitions in India.

"I have three children. They are all in school and I want them to study first, because I don't want them to be deprived of the higher education I missed in my earlier days. Once they are through with their studies, I do want them to carry on the family tradition."