This is the story of women who were widowed and others who also lost their near and dear ones in the Naroda-Patiya (Ahmedabad) carnage in 2002, and who have since gotten together to form a collective effort that would revitalize their livelihoods and maybe rejuvenate their lives.

I met Monica Wahi and Zaidahmed Sheikh, two young people who told me the story of Himmat, and who were involved in helping start and later, facilitate this effort. This story is in their words.

Beginnings
In late summer of 2003, the women rented a space in Tahira Park, next to Faizal Park where the women reside. Water, electricity was arranged for along with some equipment for infrastructure as well as teaching & training – (some contribution was made by UTTHAN, Ahmedabad). The sewing machines used in the centre belonged to the women themselves (donated by SEWA & SAHRWARU, Ahmedabad). Based on advice from Sanghamitra Gadekar, the women started some classes on basic sewing techniques and subsequently on embroidery.

At the same time, literacy classes were also begun where 12 of the 16 women participated. Naina behn, a renowned educationist and a Gandhian from Ahmedabad started coming to the centre to impart basic numeracy skills to the women – which would help them grasp the nuances of measurements etc as well as help them understand and operate their newly opened bank accounts etc. Another program with Pratham was also started to help these women with reading and writing skills.

In December 2003, the center graduated to a production unit. Himmat was provided organically dyed block printed Khadi by Vividha. Sanghamitra Gadekar from Vividha has been very supportive of our work. She entrusted Himmat with some beautiful fabric, from which the women tailored clothes and bags. Designer Chandra Razdan Bhattacharya from New Delhi came down to Ahmedabad to conduct a 10-day ‘finishing workshop’ for the women at the beginning of the production which proved very fruitful.

We made over 800 pieces (tops, skirts, kurtas, bags) for the World Social Forum (January, Bombay). Himmat clothes sold like hot cakes. At the end of 4 days of exhibition, we were only left with a dozen clothes.

At WSF, Mumbai
The women’s trip to the forum proved to be extremely fruitful.

Almost all the stock the women had made in 40 days was sold in 4 days. The clothes and the workmanship were appreciated and this gave immense confidence and pride to the women. They have since become extremely enthusiastic about doing “good work & earning a name for himmat”!

WSF also required them to take upon responsibilities, of managing the stalls, of selling & marketing, of book keeping etc. These skills have since held them in good stead wherever they exhibited - like they did in MSU, Baroda (organised in the Fine Arts department, March`04). Four women from the group took the initiative to carry the whole show entirely on their shoulders, while all of us stayed back in Ahmedabad.

In one sense WSF gave them a glimpse of possibilities which they had not imagined for themselves earlier – possibilities of good earnings & appreciation for their hard work; possibilities of creating a niche of running the production unit on their own.

WSF also exposed the women to very many other struggles. They could empathise with people from different parts of the world who told their stories through posters & songs & dance and theatre etc. They felt strengthened in one sense to watch so many people talk the same language – of peace & equality, of resistance and struggle. They felt that all these people who had come from various parts of the world were with them. ‘Himmat’ has become from then on part of a wider assertion. In the words of one member Naseem “ we will show to the whole world how the naroda patiya widows will rise back with dignity”.

Though the women have always worked in an atmosphere of good cheer and fun at the centre, at WSF they celebrated together like they have never done before. On the eve of the closing ceremony, when the WSF grounds in Goregaon were vacated, the women spontaneously sang and danced in what was the “Window to Gujarat” - the very exhibit, which had chronicled their pain. A celebration, both ironic as well as redeeming.

Growth
It is almost two years since Himmat was born. Though we had first modestly envisaged a three-month skill up gradation programme for the women, the centre went on to provide a six-month sewing & stitching programme including machine and hand embroidery classes, along with a literacy programme in Gujarati. After which it started making and selling its own product. Himmat celebrated its anniversary last year on a day-long picnic to Gandhinagar.

• Seven months after their training, in December 2003 Himmat graduated into a production centre. We took our first order from Sanghamitra Gadekar’s Vividha (and continued to do so till March, 2005).
• Besides WSF in Bombay Himmat & Vividha (in collaboration) have exhibited in New Delhi, Bangalore, Goa and in various cities and towns in Gujarat (including Baroda, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat etc).
• Fruitful tie-ups (on consignment basis) were done with up-market outlets in Delhi (People Tree) & Bombay (OMO). These outlets showcased and sold our clothes in lieu of which they take a standard cut from the profit
• Himmat also secured its first independent order for a hundred bags for Oxfam (G.P.). Though the order was very modest, the bags were appreciated a lot and we can hope for more such orders in future
• In May, 2004 Himmat opened its own outlet in Paldi, Ahmedabad (my own residence!). Though it was an informal outlet & its awareness depended on word of mouth – it has done rather well since its opening. We received customers on a regular basis.

We continued our tie up with Vividha, wherein Vividha gave orders to our women to tailor till March, 2005. The women earned wages from Vividha according to the no. and pattern of pieces they made.
On the Path to Self Reliance
Since then, Monica has moved back to Delhi and Zaidahmed is looking to move on at the end of the year. The women have the confidence and the ability to take this forward by their own abilities and resources.

In the midst of all the violence and snapshots of inhumanity, few stories of hope and of the strength of humanity have evolved. The story of Himmat is one such story.

Monica Wahi can be contacted at monicawahi@rediffmail.com; ZaidAhmed Sheikh at zaid_81@rediffmail.com

Related Articles:
Meet Shirin Ebadi
Indian Muslims Don't Need Law Boards
Coping with Pain
How Many Aftermaths
Irrelevance of a Visa