The REAL women with substance

There are amazing people out there! I am sure you know some. Hopefully you are surrounded by many or run across them often. Do you know that feeling when by chance you stumble upon people who come out of nowhere and they surprise you with their spirit, kindness, talents, politeness, thoughtfulness, in short, by just being their true self and giving you something exceptionally fascinating that you are swept off your feet? Well, I had amazing experience of meeting some extraordinarily talented, gritty, stunningly beautiful women at handicrafts and handloom exhibition, Mahalaxmi Saras, Mumbai, two days ago.

Every time I meet people; specially, women from small villages, I realize how heart of entrepreneurship in India lies in small villages at grass-root level. Women entrepreneurs who work to provide essential products, services and solutions that help enhance not only local economy but empower them and their community with better opportunities to improve life. Most of the women I met at the exhibition are almost illiterate and yet they have such inspiring stories to share that I feel humbled.  Every woman I have acquainted in this article is immensely gifted, intelligent and phenomenally wonderful person! Let me introduce them to you. 

Rajubai Sitaram Jadhav from Vaijnath, Parli, a Banjara woman 

Don't make mistake of going by her looks. She might look primitive from a completely different era but once she is comfortable with you she will surprise you with her brilliant sense of humour, intelligence and shrewd business sense. Meet Rajubai Sitaram Jadhav from Vasant Nagar, Vaijnath, Parli. Age, no clue! She has very vibrant personae just like her clothes. Her bright red and pink attire can brighten up barren faces around her and one feels positive vibes that resonate instantly!

Rajubai with her creations at the stall 

Rajubai has undergone cataract surgeries and both her eyes are weak but she can't give up her craft of embroidery as she feels her creativity is what defines her truly. Ask her about education and she points her thumb horizontally at the table; a gesture that suggests "angoothachaap" (illiterate). When she explains need to understand colours and concept of contrast in craft like embroidery, one is tempted to think how she could give any fashion designer run for her money if only she was little trained professionally and educated! She will start a gig out of blue while conversing with you and the grace in her dance will completely surprise you. She supports a group of about twenty women from her village, trains them in her craft, helps them hone their skills, attends every possible exhibition and is a very smart sales person.   

Indubai Murlidhar Katare  from Shingve, Nashik

Indubai Murlidhar Katare from Shingve is a very dignified lady. From the moment you meet her, she commands respect. Extremely polite and soft spoken, she is "adhyaksha"(president) of the centre that sells organically grown black currents and resins. Her challenge was to learn basics of business from educated person. Now that its achieved, she also keeps busy with cleanliness drive, and has single handedly managed  to engage people from her village in  social service. Her drive against drinking and female infanticide has shown remarkable results. She proudly tells how you would never find a single person in her village sitting idly as everyone is happily engaged in contributing towards change. She has not gone to any business school but is a great example of true leader. Her open mind has helped women in her village get out of confines of four walls and be financially independent and socially aware. 

We never talk about leaders in nine yard sarees, do we?  

Kusherata Annarao Poyed from  Vardgaon, Nanded

Kusheratabai reminds you of your loving granny.  Behind her stark face is a woman whose heart is overflowing with love and care. She heads a committee in small group meant for women from her village that sells organically grown spices and pulses. If you show genuine interest in her, there are chances of you being treated to a delicious meal served with dollops of love while she talks passionately about her group, their work and the women she works with. She would not let you go without a warm hug and whisper something in your ear that is supposed to protect you from evil eye! By the time you say good bye to her, she would have touched your heart so deeply that your eyes will be moist.  

Shashikalabai Chalke from Tadhaatgaon, Jalna

Shashikalabai is thrilled to share details of how socio-economic dynamics of her community have changed after joining the group of weavers like her.  She promptly explains the process of obtaining raw material to production of woven products and enthusiastically displays process of  spinning on wheel. After joining the development programme which she had resented in the beginning she has become very confident of taking big orders. She has little difficulty in interacting in any language except Marathi but somehow manages to get her message across.   

Deolibai Sakharam Chavan from Naik Nagar, Murum 

The oldest of them all, Deolibai at age of 90, deserves to be awarded for being the most beautiful, vivacious and remarkably sharp participant at the exhibition. She takes time to open up and she means business. Once you have won her trust, she talks. And how! She shares amazing anecdotes from her life; about different times when India was under British rule, her young age,  her one big family with grandsons and great grandsons, challenges posed by modernization  for people like her, living in forests. She shows great concern about complex adjustments their traditional life is confronted with, ecological issues and most important passion of her life, her art. Her age is evident on her wrinkled body but when she talks, she sounds like a sixteen year young girl, deeply in love with life! Ask secret of her stunning beauty and her reply will be, "I don't stay idle for a second, lead a simple life amidst Nature and I play with the children of the house. There is nothing more I need from life." 

She curiously asks what I am going to do with so many pictures and the moment I explain I am going to write about her, she opens an album and shows me her photographs with ex-prime ministers of our country. Deolibai has a spark which is difficult to miss. A respected matriarchal figure in her group, she explains that to get work done from others is matter of tact. Her richly embroidered work is sought after by many customers and she attends every question with ease and patience.       

 

After meeting these wonderful women I feel what artisans like these women need is a little training in communication, language skills and market knowledge to connect to wider audience. What they have achieved despite their background is indeed commendable. My salute to all these extraordinary women for igniting such wonderful spirit within me. I am deeply honoured. Phenomenal women, you inspire me and touch my soul!