Hemlata Kharade, a resident of Maheshwar in Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh, is a source of inspiration for women today. Hemlata, who once used to earn barely Rs 800 a month by working as a laborer in villages, changed her own world with her hard work, skill and confidence. Today she is not only a successful entrepreneur, but also taking 15 women on the path of self-reliance by giving them employment.
Learned to work on the loom
With the help of Ajeevika Mission and Handloom Development Corporation, in the year 2008, she took a 6-month training from the corporation, in which she learned to work on the loom. After this, she started working in handloom buildings and made a name for herself with her skills and started her own handloom group in the year 2012. Seeing her confidence and work, the government also provided a building in the year 2016.
Hemlata has given a new identity to the traditional Maheshwari saris of Maheshwar with her art. Today she participates in handloom exhibitions organized in various cities of the country – Mumbai, Delhi, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Indore and Bhopal etc. Her monthly income is around Rs 25,000 and she earns about Rs 2.5 lakh annually.
Waves of Narmada engraved on sari
Hemlata tells that traditional designs like glimpse of Maheshwar fort, Jharokha booti, Jaali booti, Keri booti, Asarfi booti are woven in the saris prepared in her self-help group. The notable thing is that she also decorates the waves of Narmada river in the border of the saris and weaves its natural beauty in the garments. Her saris are liked on every occasion from festivals to weddings. In this journey from struggle to success, Hemalata has proved that if given opportunity, hard work and right guidance, any woman can create her own identity.
