I grew up in Mumbai, fondly called the city of dreams. The bustling lanes of Kandivali, where I spent my childhood with my siblings, one brother and four sisters, kept us busy the whole day. The vibrant colors of sarees my father sold from a cart painted my childhood memories. And my mother, always present at home, was our constant. I used to go to a nearby school. My parents taught me as far as their pocket allowed.
Then I got married and came to Delhi…
While Delhi’s vibrance and hustle were no different from Mumbai, the culture and ambiance took me by surprise. I had moved here after an arranged marriage, so it took a while to settle in. I was quite good at household chores, but a part of me longed to work outside. However, my mother-in-law’s conventional belief systems kept me anchored at home. As much as I loved making DIY home decor, embroidering, and sewing, I was confined to our home’s four walls.
One fine day, I heard nearby women talking about the Swami Sivananda Memorial Institute of Fine Arts and Crafts (SSMI). They spoke of how they’d carry intricate embroidery tasks home and return with them transformed. An excellent opportunity to learn and earn at the same time. I saw these women enjoying what I had been yearning for – independence. So, with slight apprehension, I approached my mother-in-law. And to my complete surprise, she said yes.
My happiness knew no bounds. I was like that little bird who had just got her wings and was trying every bit to fly. With a lot of zeal and enthusiasm, I approached SSMI, which welcomed me with open arms. Who knew that one day, this shy woman picking work to bring home would transform into someone confident strutting through the corridors of the institute? But all of this took a decade and quite a few challenges. When I first entered the gates of SSMI, I was an amateur who knew her craft but required in-depth knowledge and finesse. The institute hired me in their textiles department, and Iram, to who I owe a lot, patiently guided me. From merely cutting threads to ensuring the quality of every piece that leaves the SSMI doors, I navigated every challenge with her help.
When my mother-in-law passed during the COVID outbreak, things shifted. My husband, who is an auto driver, stepped up to support my choice to work at the SSMI center. I was like turning over a new leaf once again. Working at the SSMI center meant I could learn and thrive more and collaborate with other women. Because at SSMI, we don’t just stitch fabrics. We weave futures. Every woman here knows her worth, her skill, and we all pitch in to give our best.
Today, my husband and I earn enough to send our kids to a good school. When I look at them, I am filled with hope. I found my calling amidst threads and needles and wish for them to find their melodies and rhythms in life. Because dreams, no matter how intricately designed, deserve to be embroidered onto the vast fabric of the world. They deserve a place of their own.
