Honored with the prestigious Jankidevi Bajaj Puraskar by IMC Ladies’ Wing, woman entrepreneur Ruma Devi has embarked her name in sustainable fashion as well as supporting her small community in Barmer, Rajasthan.
She is the President of Gramin Vikas Evam Chetna Sansthan. A young pioneer of sustainable fashion, she successfully trains artists both men and women as not only small scale entrepreneurs but also works towards connecting them to international fashion designers and the market.
Meet Ruma Devi – a fierce soul with an even fiercer passion to uplift her rural population in the Thar region of Rajasthan. An expert craftsman herself, Ruma has trained an incredible 22,000 artisans from 75 villages from the same region.
PEAKLIFE explores more with Ruma Devi…
1.) Tell us about the work environment of your village. How and where does the artistry unfold?
Rawsar, my village is a desert area where people usually stay far from each other. We try to teach the villagers to take ‘Kasidakari’, a traditional form of artwork as a business, at the market platform. Training includes educating them about trends in fashion, the colour combinations being preferred, and the market trends in general. We also talk to them about how to take care of the ‘sarees’ created considering they are expensive sustainable products. So, we try to tell them about the importance of art in general since the ultimate product is used by royal families.
2.) What motivated you to break out of your culture of silence and promote the same for other women?
When I started working to earn my livelihood. Also, when I continued with my work and became capable enough, I started to realize about the other women from my village who are unemployed. Therefore, I decided to take the work ahead by including other women. I believe that a woman feels strong and respected when she is financially self-independent. Every woman who isn’t educated dreams of providing education to her daughter to make herself self-sufficient.
3.) Today you’re successfully leading hundreds of people with financial security and better health and housing facilities. What does it feel like being the woman behind all that?
From where I am, women are usually not allowed to step out and pursue their dreams. I am the first woman from our village who has actually reached the place where I am. I think this inspires other women as well. They believe that they too can reach places if they work like I did. And when one earns, they can even look into the health issues they face as they hesitate otherwise.
4.) How do you see the year 2020 for women entrepreneurs?
In 2020, I hope a lot of women step out and become self-independent by starting their own businesses. 2019 was a good year for women entrepreneurs but I hope 2020 is even better.
5.) Lastly, how do you feel being the recipient of the prestigious Janki Devi Puraskar?
I am very proud to receive the 27th Annual Jankidevi Bajaj Puraskar. This award honours women entrepreneurs working to improve living conditions in rural India. This award definitely inspires women to do something substantial. I am honored to be the recipient of this award and would like to thank Ms. Vanita Bhandari and the IMC Ladies Wing for giving me this award.
