रोटी न मॉंगो,
रोटी बनाना सीखो,
खिलाके खाओ।
-Jain Digambaracharya Shri Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj
Success of skilled hands
Developing oneself with one’s own hands is the identity of self-reliance, it contributes in Nation building and Handloom and Handicrafts are a boon for this.
— Acharya Shri 108 Vidyasagarji Maharaj
Every woman employed at the Chal-Charkha Women’s Training Center has committed to a pledge of Vegetarianism and virtuous living. Handloom garments transcend mere threads; they embody the woven dreams of Women. Our women artisans thrive with self-reliance, self confidence, and self-assurance, shaping their lives on their own terms.
My husband was forced to go to the city to earn money. We, along with our children, were very unhappy, fearing the breakup of the family. By Guruji’s blessings, I came to Chal-Charkha, learnt handloom weaving, and set up a loom at our home and taught my husband as well. Today, together we earn 30 to 35 thousand rupees a month. The whole family is able to live together. Guruji, your blessings are always with us, and we will forever be grateful to you.
-Mankunwar, Lalitpur
Going to the forest, cutting wood, and fetching water— This was the daily rhythm of our lives. After joining ChalCharkha Centre at Karopani, not only I learned handloom myself but I also train other women in the village. It is truly gratifying to realize that we are making a positive difference in the lives of others. I repeatedly bow to Acharya Shri’s feet for blessing us with such a beautiful life.
-Pramod Suraje
I belong to a poor family in Dah-Daha and travel 8 kilometres daily by bicycle to the Chal-Charkha Center. By making sarees here, I can now manage my household expenses comfortably. Working under Gurudev’s blessings fills me with immense peace. There is no longer a lack of anything at home, and my life has found the right direction.
-Satya Nirmalkar
I live with my four young children and mother-in-law. After my husband’s death, I used to make beedis to support my family. Today, at the Chal-Charkha Centre, I make clothes used in the temple for worship. We once contributed to harm by making beedis, but now we are connecting people to spirituality through pure, sacred garments. Guruji, your kindness is beyond measure.
As a resident of Pindrukhi, Dindori, the frequent occurrence of excessive rain in our village often damages our crops, leading to considerable challenges in our daily lives. However, with the support of handloom weaving, now I earn Rs 300-350 per day. This newfound source of income has significantly eased the burdens of our lives. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Gurudev for his blessings and guidance.
Sukhwati Surje , Pindrukhi
Burdened by providing education, food, and basic needs for my children without their father’s support, seemed like an insurmountable challenge. However, handloom weaving breathed new life into our existence, offering a ray of hope and direction. Today, I proudly owe the responsibilities of caring for both my children and my parents. I stand self-reliance and independence. I am grateful for the transformative power of handloom in my life.
-Mamata Surje
I bow to Acharya Gurudev. I have been serving my sentence here in Tihar Jail for the last ten years. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity and the positive change it has brought into our lives. Thank you, Acharya Shri ji, for your compassion and for giving us a chance to rebuild our lives with dignity and self-respect.
Female prisoner,
Tihar Jail
I don’t want to stop it(handloom) here, in Jail only. I want to bring it to my country also. I want to continue to be vegetarian once out of Jail.
International women
Tihar Jail
I weave clothes at the Chal-Charkha Center in Nari. Earlier, I had lost all hope and even had to beg for medicine. But today, I earn ₹600 per day. Acharya Shri, the divine force of the universe, has transformed the lives of distressed women, bringing them happiness and purpose.
For years, my husband’s drinking habit brought constant turmoil into our home, leaving us in financial hardship and unable to save anything for the future. Then, by the boundless grace of Gurudev, a blessing was bestowed upon us, the poor daughters of fate. Today, I earn ₹600 per day by weaving Chanderi Booti sarees at Chal-Charkha, Nari in Chhattisgarh. Through this work, I have gained the dignity of self-sufficiency. It is only by the divine grace of Acharya Bhagwan that my family has been uplifted from despair to hope. With deep gratitude and reverence, I bow at your holy feet.
My four little daughters lost their father and we faced unimaginable loss. After being cast out by my in-laws, I was left with nothing, and despair nearly took me. Even I thought of ending my life. But by the grace of Acharya Shri, we found refuge at ChalCharkha Centre in Karopani. And now I am raising my daughters with dignity, and every day is a testament to our strength and resilience.
Despite not knowing my age, I weave with pure threads, the heartfelt wish for long life and universal health and happiness. I extend my gratitude to Chalcharkha for ushering positive transformations into my life.
– Udasia
Hailing from the village of Binjori in Madhya Pradesh, I received training in Handloom at the Chal-Charkha Mahila Kendra and have been working here for the past 18 months. Despite the challenges of married life, Now I reside with my parents and completed my education independently and living a life of dignity with my children. Chal-Charkha has been a guardian of my self-respect and has instilled in me a sense of self-reliance. I extend my deepest gratitude to Acharya Guruvar Shri Vidyasagarji Maharaj with profound reverence for his vision and support for women like me.
-Sarawati Soorje , 32 years , M.Sc
