I did not have the slightest idea that Hindu women having a remote rural background could have such a well established business of Sindhi quilt making, also called rally quilts. ‘My inspiration was my mother who used to make quilts by hand but I didn’t follow her course of action until I found my family surrounded by great financial crises.’ 48 years old Heeran Meghwar, a resident of Village Muhammad Hashim Bhurghari responded to my question ‘How did you come to this field?’
“What happened next,” I asked her again, shocked. She continued, “My husband had a small shoe store in Samaro while two of my sons were working as daily wagers in different towns. Everything was going well for us but then suddenly in 2012 my husband Dharronh lost his shop owing to a clash with owner. It became a real hand to mouth situation for us but I didn’t surrender instead I chose to be a saviour for my family.’
My anxiousness in knowing what the turning point was in Heeran Meghwar’s sad life which transformed her lifestyle completely, was on the rise as she was getting closer and closer to winding up her story. And then I asked her, “After that?”
“Making quilts was the only skill I had for generating income. Initial investment to execute my plan was the real challenge for me. Someone advised me to borrow money from local moneylenders while someone also recommended me to contact a bank or even a financial serviced providing institute. I finally decided to avail loan service hence I took a loan of Rs.15,000 from Thardeep Microfinance Foundation in 2014. I purchased a sewing machine, unstitched fabric and other material related to quilt (Ralli) making. This is how my small business has been kicked off.’ Heeran smilingly answered.
‘Making quilts was the only skill I had for generating income. Initial investment to execute my plan was the real challenge for me. Someone advised me to borrow money from local moneylenders while someone also recommended me to contact a bank or even a financial service providing institute’
Today, Heeran is dwelling a better life than thousands of deprived women of her community and this all became possible due to the courageous step she had taken i.e. by availing financial services of an MFI. Since 2014, Heeran has been a regular client of Thardeep Microfinance Foundation – a leading microfinance institute in Sindh – and enhancing her quilt making small business day by day. Her husband ‘Dharronh’, two sons Shankar and Haresh, a daughter Bharma, a daughter in law Sheela and more than 7 daily wages workers are the part of Heeran’s small home based quilt making business.
‘At present, we have investment of around 700,000 in this business which generates income more than 70,000 per month as pure profit. I still remember the day when I brought in the first ever sewing machine for my wife Heeran and now we have 7 sewing machines (jockey machine) which each worth 15,000.’ Heeran’s husband Dharronh told about their small business.
Heeran continued the conversation where her husband left ‘This is nothing, I arranged marriages of my two daughters, built this cemented house (pucca ghar) for my family and helped out 7 poorest unwaged men of my community by providing them an opportunity to earn bread and butter for their families.’
Heeran’s daughter Bharma considers herself so lucky to be the part of her mother’s awe-inspiring effort which she started to garner prosperity back for her family. Bharma said ‘My mother was taught how to make a Ralli by my grandmother while I was taught by my mother Heeran. My brother’s wife Sheela and her husband cuts fabric according to the required design and pass those pieces of fabric (They call this process Chutki in Sindhi) to me for final finishing and sewing. I usually make 10 quilts every day and then my brothers and other workers load them on motorbikes for selling in the markets.’
Adhhi dhoar, khaji, taro, football, pankho and chocolate are some famous quilt designs which are being made by Heeran Meghwar and her team. These wonderful Sindhi quilts are then sold in the markets of Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas, Kunri, Samaro, Umerkot and Mithi.
The writer is a freelance contributor based from Badin and can be reached at [email protected]