“There are some people you meet who inspire you to do something meaningful in your lives; and then there are some people you meet who just inspire you to make your life more meaningful”.
On a recent trip to Dehra Doon I happened to meet someone who inspires you to make your life more meaningful and I just had to write about her and Purkal Stree Shakti Samiti. I happened to discover this place through my friend Archana’s blog – Talking Qalam ‘s blog post One Thing Leads to Another. This got me interested in this place and as I was planning to be in Dehra Doon for a work related trip, I added this to my visit list.
Nestled amongst beautiful hills, Stree Shakti is a women empowerment scheme based in a small village called Purkal near Dehra Doon where they teach local village women the skill sets to create hand-made quilts and patch work handicrafts. They have an entire complex in Purkal where they have a learning and production centre for women, a small display centre that retails their creations and an early childhood development centre for their kids.
We reached here one mid afternoon (after quite a few wrong turns, asking people for directions and a steep walk down) and met Mrs Swamy and her amazing team, who showed us around and answered our numerous questions.
The history of this place is quite interesting. More than a decade ago, Mrs Swamy and her husband decided to bid adieu to city life and move to the small village of Purkal. Mrs Swamy, wanted to start some initiative to help the local women gain employment and financial independence, and with this goal in mind she started teaching these women how to make local Indian snacks and then selling the same in nearby cities. However this venture came with its fair share of challenges because of which she had to wind it. Since she had always been interested in craft and creative projects, she decided to teach one woman the art of quilting and patchwork. Initially she just gifted these creations to her friends and family members, and through this network they started receiving orders and the venture took off. Since then, there has been no looking back and today this venture employs around 130 women across 2 centers.
This is a social venture and with their own unique model. They provide an initial loan to the women to make their creations and they then help them sell it. Post the sale all proceeds are shared with the women, who return the initial loan and a small share of the profit to the Samiti; to help the Samiti with their expenses and training of new women. All new trainees are also given a small stipend. Each creation is unique and comes with a signature and a picture of the artisan who created it.
They also have an early childhood development centre for the kids of the women who come here to quilt. These kids receive primary education and social development here and their self-confidence is truly amazing.
Today Stree Shakti’s products range across a wide variety of quilts (for adults and kids), stoles, bags, cushion covers, tea cozies, hand bag covers and much much more. Needless to say the shopaholic in me went berserk and bought a lot of things. 🙂
I especially loved their animal motifs 🙂
But more than the shopping, this entire initiative really inspired me that even if one individual decides, then they can make quite a difference to a lot of lives around them.
You can read more on them and view their products online on www.purkalstreeshakti.org. If you happen to be in Dehra Doon then please take some time and visit them. It’s a beautiful world of its own. 🙂
Aww 🙂 Thanks Snig! Am so glad you went there.
Btw the monkey quilt is SO cute! 🙂
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Thanks for introducing me to this place… I loved the monkey and the frog 🙂
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Such a beautiful post! I am planning a trip to Guatemala in the fall with some other women to teach sewing for the same reason, to help local women have an income producing skill. This post is so inspiring, and the quilts are gorgeous! Thank you for posting! Diane
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Thanks Diane. I look forward to following your posts on your trip and success with this venture in Guatemala. All the best for this. 🙂
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Hi there! Thank you for liking my post! You made my day! Your blog is awesome and very beautifully written. Will be following your blog!
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Thanks somethingboutrenes for the lovely words about my blog 🙂
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What a great post. I visited Dehra Dun last year but sadly didn’t come across Purkal Stree Shakti Samiti. I wish I had!
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Thanks. I also just discovered this beautiful place and hope to visit it again soon 🙂
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What beautiful work is being done — for and by the women, and their children. Thanks for sharing this story!
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Thanks Jammie. This place is truly wonderful and inspiring 🙂
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Amazing what people can do when they come together!
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Thats so true. All it needs is an idea and hard work 🙂
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I enjoyed reading this post. I love the quilts.
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Thanks 🙂
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Thank you for stopping by my Europe blog.
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Anytime and I loved reading your posts 🙂
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Absolutely beautiful pictures, the colours are amazing! Also really well thought out piece and loved you’re style if writing 🙂
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Thank you so much. Sincerely appreciate the kind words 🙂
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Beautiful quilts! I’m glad that this project exists for these women. The children, though, are the best part! They are beautiful, too, and so full of hope!
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These kids were so adorable and I hope to spend more time with them on my next trip here 🙂
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Those quilts are so intricate and beautifully made 🙂
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They are gorgeous. We bought some 4 of these 🙂
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Beautiful. I love empowered women. Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Dianne
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Thanks Dianne for visiting my blog and the kind words 🙂
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Kudos to Mrs Swamy for empowering so many and thanks to you that we know about it. It’s a beautiful post supported by great photos.
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Thanks Nikhil 🙂
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Thank you for liking my post! 🙂 I have been reading through your blog and it is very interesting 🙂 I myself am going this week to Tanzania to work with women’s groups there and it is interesting to read about other initiatives.
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Thanks for visiting my blog and I look forward to reading more about your travels and experiences in Tanzania. I really want to visit this part of the world but have not had the oppertunity yet.
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Thank you for liking my post. I have been reading through your blog and was particularly interested in this post when I saw the title! I’m all for empowering women. My daughter has a store here in Canada that sells fairly traded global handicrafts. I will definitely lead her to their website. My daughter also travels to India and may find an occasion to visit the collective.
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Thanks a ton for visiting my blog and the kind words. I also sincerely appreciate your introducing Stree Shakti to your daughter and exploring potential business opportunities for them in Canada. In case fair trade is of interest you can also check out Koonik for baby safe organic products at http://koonik.com/welcome.html. They have most amazing toys for kids. 🙂
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Thanks for this. I will pass on the websites to my daughter and will continue to follow your adventures. Cheers!
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Thanks 🙂
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– I liked your opening sentence. 😉
– My friend’s Mom was a quilter, and once I hung out with her when she was shopping for scrap fabrics. I really do appreciate the work put into these masterpieces.
– I love the children with their fun uniform.
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Thanks Fae. If you ever find yourself in India, then do visit them. The children were so fantastic and despite being in such a rural district, they were uber confident and spoke perfect english.
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