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Joy of training the needy

Embroidery can be a good source of income to housewives

The joy of sharing one's knowledge or skill with others is something that cannot be explained in words but can only be experienced. The joy could be doubled if one teaches the skill to the underprivileged and poor without expecting anything in return.

Sonu Chistee, a housewife, has been experiencing this joy for the past few years by training widows, students and poor women in embroidery. "A poor woman didn't know how to even operate a sewing machine when she first came to me. The other day she has shown me the dress she has stitched for her daughter," she says with pride. Sonu did diploma courses in embroidery from Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad. She gained perfection in the art by following it up with a lot of practice. She does handwork, zardosi and art work. She also does pot painting and scenery. Her sisters-in-law and other women in the household learnt the art from her and were designing their own clothes.

It dawned upon her that embroidery could be good source of income to poor women and housewives who wish to supplement the family income. Little wonder that teachers working in private schools and some students were approaching her for undergoing training during the summer holidays.

"We supply a metre of cotton cloth to them initially. Those who have an aptitude to learn can pick up the basics in 10 days. Constant practice for a couple of months would make them perfect. Later, they can do the work on silk. They are also taught colour combinations and designing," says Sonu.

The trainees can practice for about an hour every day. They are taught both handwork and machine embroidery. Sonu has taught the art to over 200 women during the last two years. "I am more interested in training the needy," she says. She has no plans to go for commercial production.

Embroidery is the in-thing in fashion, be it party wear, kurtis, ghagras, Punjabi dresses and function wear (synthetics). Sonu is ready to provide free training to poor women, needy students and widows. She can be contacted above Venus Driving School at Pedha Waltair or on phone no. 5566134.

B. MADHU GOPAL

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