When Tradition Becomes Destiny: Kullu Youth Lead Rural Women to Self-Reliance
2 min read
Shimla, Dec 14 :When Indu and Aman lost their mother in 2022, they also inherited her dream—a dream stitched with tradition, dignity, and the promise of empowering rural women. Today, the Sandhu Self-Help Group (SHG) from Kalehli village in Kullu district stands as a shining example of how determination, cultural pride, and government support can transform loss into lasting legacy.
Registered in 2020, the group was originally led by the siblings’ mother. Her sudden passing left behind not just emotional void but also the responsibility of sustaining the livelihoods of 18 rural women. At the time, Indu was working in a private company in Panchkula after completing her B. Pharma, while Aman was pursuing his BBA. Without hesitation, the siblings returned home to take charge of the SHG.
Indu resigned from her job to understand every aspect of the craft—traditional weaving, product design, and the requirements of the women who depended on the group. Aman supported production and operations. Together, they reassured the women that their incomes would not suffer.
Over the past three years, the duo has expanded the SHG’s footprint far beyond their village. From traditional sadri, coats, woollen suits, shawls, and caps to contemporary embroidered wall frames featuring the iconic Kullu pattern, their products are now sold across India and beyond. They also run a shop in Kalehli, making their handcrafted goods accessible to tourists and locals alike.
The Sandhu SHG is linked with the National Rural Livelihood Mission and State Rural Livelihood Mission, which has helped the group participate in Saras Melas and major trade fairs. The siblings credit government support for giving them a platform to grow their enterprise and promote Himachal’s rich textile heritage.
Indu believes that reconnecting youth with traditional attire is essential. “Our culture is reflected in our garments,” she says. “We try to modernize traditional patterns so young people feel proud to wear them.”
Aman dreams of scaling up the enterprise further: “We want our group to be known across the world and ensure economic strength for rural women. Promoting local products is the real way to achieve self-reliance.”
The Sandhu SHG story is one of resilience—of how two young siblings transformed grief into grassroots empowerment, weaving not just clothes, but hope, identity, and opportunity for their community.
