From Village Struggles To Lakme Fashion Week Stardom: Sunita's Inspiring Journey

Sunita lived in a small village in Jaipur district, Rajasthan, where opportunities were hard to come by. She and her husband struggled to make ends meet, with no steady work to support their family. Despite these challenges, Sunita was determined to change her circumstances and give her children a better future.

Taking a bold step, Sunita decided to move to Bagru, a nearby town. There, she found work on a farm, but she knew her potential went beyond agriculture. Sunita was a skilled seamstress and started stitching garments for women in her village, taking small orders to earn extra money. However, the income was minimal, and competing in the local market was difficult. She realized she needed to upgrade her skills to succeed. That's when she heard about the USHA Silai School program.

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In 2016, USHA launched a Silai School in her region to train women in stitching and empower them with better skills. Sunita eagerly enrolled and attended a seven-day residential training program. This training transformed her life. She became a certified Silai School teacher and returned to her community to share her skills with other women.

Sunita said,

Earlier, I earned just ₹10. My children had to study in a government school because we couldn't afford better education. As the eldest daughter-in-law, I was responsible for my in-laws, and my husband's income was not enough to run the household. So, I started stitching clothes for villagers and even took online orders. At first, I doubted if anyone would come to me, but I didn't stop. Today, I've taught around 400 women, helping them become self-reliant.

Recognizing her talent, USHA invited Sunita to be part of the USHA Silai Label, which debuted at Lakmé Fashion Week in 2018. After an assessment, she received advanced training in Kaladera. Her skills improved rapidly, and she began stitching garments for the prestigious fashion event. For the first time, Sunita walked the ramp alongside renowned designers, showcasing her creations.

Sunita said,

The clothes we stitched were worn by people at Lakmé Fashion Week in Mumbai. I never imagined we'd go there, let alone walk the ramp. Coming from the fields to such a big platform was a dream come true. Today I am earning around Rs 70,000, tailoring has helped fulfil every dream.

Sunita's family and community were overjoyed by her achievement. Her success inspired many, and her reputation grew. She began receiving larger orders, including consistent work from USHA. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, she found opportunities, stitching masks and earning ₹2 lakhs during the crisis.

Sunita has created employment opportunities for other women in Bagru, empowering her community.USHA has indeed paved a way for growth not just for Sunita but also her community in Bagru.

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Mohan Lal, Regional Manager, North, USHA Social Services said,

USHA's brand name gives women like Sunita credibility to get orders. We refine their skills and make leaders from within their communities, helping them grow socially, politically, and economically.

Kamal Kishore, Secretary, Jan Kalyan Sahitya Manch Samiti said,

We run 450 Silai Schools in partnership with USHA, skilling 1.5 lakh women since 2013. These skills translate into employment opportunities, improving lives and ensuring the wellbeing of families.

From a small village in Rajasthan to the ramp at Lakmé Fashion Week, Sunita's journey is one of perseverance, skill, and empowerment. With USHA's support, she has transformed her life and is uplifting others in her community.