SUMITA GHOSE

Walk the talk with Kolhapuris

SUMITA GHOSE

Prada, the renowned Italian luxury fashion house, recently created a controversy over its Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection at Milan Fashion Week, which featured leather sandals that closely resembled India’s traditional Kolhapuri chappals. What was the hullabaloo about? More important, what will be the fallout of this? Will the noise die down

A company in Kashmir

SUMITA GHOSE

The Noor Aari Producer Company, located in Noorbagh, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), is a jewel among our success stories. Noor means light, and the exquisitely named Noorbagh has come to be a garden of light, a place where women artisans are crafting their own futures. Rangsutra began working in

Learning to be owners

SUMITA GHOSE

I once came across a saying which went “women usually work on changing themselves, whereas men are all about changing the world.” I differ. I believe that everyone, irrespective of gender, who is part of a family, community, organization or society, needs to work on changing both, starting from themselves

Respect for each other

SUMITA GHOSE

THE idea for Rangsutra came to me during a year-long sabbatical in 2001-02. It was a much needed sabbatical, as I had recently experienced some traumatic events. In 1997, my husband and colleague, Sanjoy Ghose, was abducted and killed by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), a terrorist group

Craft is about style

SUMITA GHOSE

THIS year the arid desert regions of Rajasthan were blessed with adequate and timely rainfall. For the most part, farmers were harvesting a good crop. Which means that artisans we work with have less time for weaving and embroidery. We are aware that this may lead to delays in delivery

Handmade is the future

SUMITA GHOSE

IT’s a no-brainer. The cultural and creative industries have the potential to not only ensure regular work and employment for rural women and men in India, they are also kind to mother earth as they gobble less energy, being powered by people. These industries include handmade crafts for everyday use

Going beyond home

SUMITA GHOSE

I began working in Mumbai (then Bombay) as a young woman of 20. My workplace was safe, but I had to remain vigilant during my bus rides to work to avoid unwanted proximity from men. I carried a large safety pin for protection, just in case. Some years later, working

Skills survived many odds

SUMITA GHOSE

AS we celebrate our 78th Independence Day, there’s no better time to honour the rich tapestry of handcrafted textiles that embody India’s cultural, economic and social heritage. India’s handcrafted textiles are a testament to centuries of skilled craftsmanship, creativity, and dedication. Each region of India boasts its unique textile traditions,

The power of the collective

SUMITA GHOSE

THE excitement and fervour surrounding the general election in India has been palpable, with heated discussions and loud campaigns dominating the electoral landscape. However, the post-election scenario often sees promises fade into oblivion, leaving people to navigate their daily lives largely on their own. This reality is particularly stark for

Growing the rural start-up

SUMITA GHOSE

STARTING an independent for-profit social enterprise in rural India is not just a venture — it’s a courageous step towards bringing about meaningful social change, reducing inequality, and ensuring inclusive development and growth. Inclusion of rural women with their innate intelligence, knowledge and wisdom is key to building resilient creative