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Ruma Devi
President Gramin Vikas Evam Chetna Sansthan
Grassroots Glory
Ruma Devi is a jet-setting promoter of artisans who has empowered thousands of rural women in the Barmer region of Rajasthan. Hers is an amazing story of perseverance, drive and talent. She shares it with Meher Castelino.
Fibre2Fashion: Please tell us about your childhood. What made you take up embroidery?
Ruma Devi:
Fibre2Fashion: What inspired you to start the group? How did you get the other women to join you?
Fibre2Fashion: How long did it take for you to start the NGO, Gramin Vikas Evam Chetna Santhan (GVCS)?
I was in search of markets and orders when I landed up at the Gramin Vikas Evam Chetna Sansthan (GVCS) in 2008. I got my products approved and was asked to make a specific quantity, which was expected to be done in three days. I was so dedicated to my work that I completed the order in one night and submitted the order the very next day. Due to my continuous efforts and hard work, I first became a member and then the president of the organisation in 2010.
Fibre2Fashion: You now have 22,000 women working at the GVCS. How did you make so many of them join you?
Fibre2Fashion: Did you or the women face difficulties at home when you formed the NGO?
Fibre2Fashion: Was it difficult to convince them to join you?
Fibre2Fashion: How many women joined you in the beginning? Were they from Barmer, or all over Rajasthan?
Fibre2Fashion: What is the system at the GVCS? How do you keep in touch with 22,000 women?
Fibre2Fashion: What are the different types of embroidery done by the women? Who designs?
Fibre2Fashion: What are the types of embroidery that you use? How did you learn them?
Fibre2Fashion: What is the significance of the different embroidery forms?
Fibre2Fashion: Are there any types of embroidery which were also getting lost?
Fibre2Fashion: What are the different products that you make? What fabrics do you use?
Fibre2Fashion: Where do you source the fabrics, threads, needles and other materials?
Fibre2Fashion: What is your production schedule like? How fast can you deliver the orders?
Fibre2Fashion: What is the price range of the different products?
Fibre2Fashion: How many orders do you get in a month? Have you got any export orders from abroad?
Fibre2Fashion: Who are the people (customers) who come to you?
Fibre2Fashion: Do you have a store in Rajasthan? Do you sell in other parts of India?
Fibre2Fashion: You take part in exhibitions in India and abroad. Where all have you exhibited the products?
Fibre2Fashion: Apart from Hemant Trevedi, which designers have you worked with and what type of garments have you embroidered on?
Fibre2Fashion: What other social work are you involved with?
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