Fighting Against Odds: Passionate About Stitching, These Two Rabari Women With Disabilities Become Financially Independent

New Delhi: 'Rabari' tribe in Gujarat is known for their vibrant embroidery work. It is a traditional craft that has been passed on from one generation to the next. Most are unaware that right from street markets to other shops in big cities like Delhi and Mumbai, some of the traditional embroidered clothes on display are handwoven by the Rabari women. But the artisans behind these colourful, intricate patterns, mostly women of the tribe, face many hardships. They are not allowed to work outside the confines of their home and ofter lack the exposure that custodian of such fine crafstmanship deserve. But then you cannot become trendsetters if you don't defy the traditional and are ready to fight the consequence , like these two young women - Rami and Sati who had to face additional challenges because of their physical disabilities.

Battling their physical disability, these two Rabari women didn't let their situation become an excuse to stall their artistic pursuits. In fact, they used their creativity to achieve emotional as well as financial independence.

When 35-year old physically challenged Rami of Bhuj village decided to channelise her skills and turn her passion into a profession, the entire community and most importantly her husband came forward to encourage her. Not once did her family or community dissuaded her from following her dreams,says Rami. With passion, determination and everyone's support she joined the Usha Silai School programme, an initiative to empower women through the sewing and stitching.

After she finished her course she started her own Silai school with aim to inspire other women of her village so that they can further pass on their skills to their daughters, "Tomorrow our daughters will see our financial independence and will want to imbibe these skills. Many of them have already started to learn stitching and are adopting the latest fashion techniques in their work," says Rami.

She has now established a base of steady stream of students and earns upto Rs 5,000 per month. She stitches a wide range of garments - from stoles, long skirts, salwar kameez, school uniforms to carry bags. Rami along with her group of students have created their own women's collective.

"The urge of learning and creating something new everyday is what makes me like my job. It has not only made me financially independent but has also fulfilled my passion of stitching," adds Rami.
Vanka Rabari, Rami's husband who is a shepherd by profession, is thankful to her for unburdening the family's financial crisis. "The kind of embroidery they create is very intricate and requires a lot of concentration. I am very proud that my wife runs the Silai School. The money she earns helps our household finances," concludes the proud husband.

Not far away from Rami, lives 25-year old Sati in Dhandalpur village. As a child, she was diagnosed with polio. But her love for stitching encouraged her to get a formal training. Like Rami, Sati underwent the Usha Silai training programme for seven days at Aashirwad Viklang Kendra, a community centre. "Due to my condition it was difficult for me to do basic work ,forget working outside. But now my passion has given me an opportunity to work from home and earn money," says Sati.

What started with just five students increased to 25 students over a period of time. From cutting, stitching and doing embroidery work, Sati tries to impart her skills to as many as women possible. She now sews and designs various items like blouses, tunics, pillows and dresses.

It is women like Sati and Rami who are stitching their identity against all kind of odds and inspiring hundreds of women to follow their dreams. The Usha Silai School programme is giving opportunities to women in rural parts of India to become financially independent and create their own identities by reviving their traditional skills.

"Women in villages often do not get a chance to work in companies due to lack of education. It is only because of these traditional classes that they getting a chance to stand on their own and help run the house. When one woman starts earning, other women also follow," concludes an elderly person from Sati's village.