By Rashmi Rekha Das
She has been on a mission to empower women through tailoring since 2004. With a passion to help others, she provides free training to women, enabling them to earn a living and become self-reliant. Over the years, she has trained over 2,000 girls and women, transforming their lives and fostering financial independence.
Her initiative not only teaches women a valuable skill but also instills confidence and self-worth. Many of her trainees have gone on to open their own shops, providing for their families and contributing to their communities.
Meet Sujasmita Tiwari, a 45-year-old trailblazer from Balipatna, on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. While many women focus on styling themselves, Sujasmita is stitching a different kind of future – one where rural women can thrive financially. Her vision is clear: when women succeed, communities flourish. Through her initiative, she’s working tirelessly to turn financial independence into a reality for women in rural Odisha. This is not just an initiative; it’s a movement. And it’s only just beginning
Sujasmita opens up to Ommcom Media about her remarkable journey, sharing the highs and lows of her struggles and triumphs. With unflinching honesty, she recounts her experiences, offering a glimpse into the life of a woman who has dedicated herself to empowering others.
Sujasmita Tiwari’s journey to empowering rural women began with a tailoring course at an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) after Class XII. This skill not only paved the way for her financial independence but also inspired her to help others. In 1999, she started stitching and related work, earning a steady income. After getting married in 2001, Sujasmita decided to train village women confined to their homes, leveraging her tailoring skills to empower them. With the support of her father-in-law, she restarted her tailoring business and initiated a training program, initially charging a nominal fee of Rs 30 per month to cover costs.
Sujasmita’s voice trembles with conviction as she shares her story: “Born and raised in Keonjhar district, where my father toiled in Daitari mines, I found my purpose in tailoring. After completing my ITI course, I began stitching in 1999, and soon, I decided to train tribal girls residing in the locality to make them self-reliant. I got married in 2001 and two years later, I restarted my tailoring business thanks to immense my father-in-law’s immense support. Initially, I started with 30 village women. All I wanted to shatter the walls that confined them, to give them wings to fly, and to let them breathe freely.”
She continued: “In this way I started full-fledged training in 2004, driven by a desire to empower young girls and women who were confined to their homes. My mission was to equip them with valuable skills, enabling them to earn a living and gain independence.”
The COVID-19 pandemic brought most businesses to a grinding halt, but Sujasmita’s entrepreneurial spirit turned adversity into opportunity. As the demand for masks skyrocketed, her tailoring business pivoted seamlessly to meet the need, catapulting her to fame. Sujasmita’s masks became the go-to choice, earning her widespread recognition and cementing her reputation as a reliable and skilled entrepreneur.
Sujasmita recounts, “During the lockdown, many companies struggled to stay afloat, but our humble face masks proved to be a game-changer. Initially, we provided them for free, but soon, companies started placing orders, and our tailoring business got a boost. The mask sales not only helped us survive but also increased our earnings beyond pre-pandemic levels. It was a lifesaver, enabling me and the women I work with to earn a steady income and thrive during a challenging time.”
Sujasmita’s creativity extends beyond stitching. She’s also launched a mini chitralaya, offering costumes for rent. She sometimes plants saplings. She also distributes clothes to poor and homeless people and creates awareness among villagers about health issues.
Sujasmita’s compassion extends beyond her business. In her free time, she nurtures a greener environment by planting saplings. She’s also dedicated to giving back to the community by distributing clothes to the poor and homeless.
Sujasmita’s dedication to empowering women and her community through tailoring has earned her Jaydev Gaurab Samman, but what’s equally remarkable is her commitment to environmental conservation. She’s been honored with the prestigious Prakruti Bandhu.
