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The diverse stalls, each recounting their resilience and determination along with entrepreneurial paths, were seen in the exhibition, marking the 25th anniversary of the Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA), a voluntary organization. The exhibition was held at Lokshahir Anna Bhau Sathey Rang Mandir from January 11 to 13.
Before the arrival of Covid, Mehwish Ansari received sporadic income from manual tailoring. However, during the pandemic, she found an opportunity to craft sustainable masks, transforming it into her family’s main source of income.
Mehwish Ansari is part of the women-led startup, 10 Stitch Fashion Studio, started during the pandemic by a group of ten women. She is currently the sole breadwinner in her family. She said that the opportunities they had during the pandemic ended soon after Covid. After a short break, they gradually shifted their focus to the women’s fashion studio.
“I am a mother of three children, and there are no other sources of income in my household. My husband’s health doesn’t allow him to work outside. Through the guiding hands of the other women in our team, I have gained some experience that helps bring economic stability for my home,” she said.
Sharing the benefits of handmade sanitary napkins, Kanchan Jadhav, another woman entrepreneur, said the group has initiated sustainable and high-quality pads for women, promoting both environmental sustainability and health benefits. “The pads we produce are eco-friendly and cost effective. They avoid health issues and infections for women experiencing menopause ages (45 and 55 years). Additionally, they are also helpful for diabetic patients,” she said. Kanchan, a mother to a single daughter, is fortunate to have a supportive husband who encourages her work, and she finds joy in her occupation. She has been working with the studio since its beginning, with the first mask crafted by her.
While sharing the journey of CYDA, Mathew Mattam, Director, said they are celebrating the spirit of volunteerism, which works on three components: youths, entrepreneurship, and water, sanitation, and hygiene.
“We are concentrating on a more localised perspective of entrepreneurship, with a primary focus on supporting local women and entrepreneurs of various genders. Utilising the CYDA platform, we want to provide a safe space and promote gender inclusiveness in every field,” Mattam said.
Among other stalls, one specific stall belonged to CYDA’s Inclusion Unit, dedicated to representing the non-binary and trans communities. Pritesh Kamble, who joined CYDA in 2018, is currently the head of the Inclusion Unit of CYDA and works as a sex educator in a total of 56 PMC schools in Pune.
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