meet our india team / international women's day

 

we're normally in india during international women's day, and i've spent the holiday in the past working in singapore and in sweden. one thing that strikes me is how important this day is around the world. "happy women's day!" is a common greeting and offices celebrate. as they should-- it is important, and it is only growing, which is tremendous.

 

we felt it was a timely day to feature several of our female colleagues on the india team. we've wanted to introduce these professional women on social media for sometime, and this was a fitting day to do it.

 

 

we work with both men and women in india, but the majority are women. we will continue to feature our team on our social channels and blog, but here are a few key women who make mirth happen from halfway across the globe.

 

 

first up, meet nivedita rai who we’ve worked with for 5 years.

 

 

 

nivedita is an essential part of turning our design ideas into reality, and is a wonderful champion of handloom and empowering women in india. she is leading a new project working with handloom weavers all over india and we’re excited for the new textile techniques and beautiful fabrics that will be made through her work.

 

 

q: what is your favorite part about your work?

a: i am amazed at the possibilities that the handloom/artisanal sector provides, such as providing a livelihood for thousands in their villages, reinstating heritage crafts and passing the knowledge down to future generations, sustaining the environment by producing locally and avoiding waste and toxic materials, saving power, and the list goes on.

 

 

q: who is the most supportive woman in your life?

a: my mother. she has been by my side and supported several unconventional decisions of mine, even if she didn't agree with them at first. she has given me the freedom to make my own choices and has stayed by my side even when things didn’t turn out.

 

 

q: what is your hope for the future generations of women in your country?

a: i know that the future generation of women in India will be fierce, strong and relentlessly passionate and diligent. i can only see a more evolved and robust generation of thinkers and doers and go-getters in my country. it's our time to shine :)

 

 

thank you, nivedita, for being a crucial part of our team, and working to increase opportunity for women in india. stay tuned for more inspiring stories from our fearless team in india!

 

 

next, meet madhumita sarkar guha, from kolkata.

q: what is your role with MIRTH and how long have you worked with the brand?

a: Since the onset from 2018 we have been the supplier of khadi, handloom, jamdani , batik and hand embroidered textiles for the wonderous garment creations of MIRTH as a first generation entrepreneur, I might as well call it a small family business , as we are indeed a small family/team of handloom and hand-embellished enthusiast!

 

q: what is your favorite part about the work you do with MIRTH?

a: katie's enthusiasm about new r&d is infectious and the 'mirth' we receive as producers is invaluable! MIRTH is our most favorite client!

 q: who is the most supportive woman in your life?

a: my twelve year old daughter and scores of other woman entrepreneurs.

 

q: what is your hope for the future generations of women in your country?

a: we, women of India need to realize our potential as curators of our traditional craft.  we need to imbibe the younger generation into these vocations and inspire a transparent and sustainable business practice for the betterment of all stakeholders involved.  all for one, one for all! 

 

and finally, meet nisha sharm, from delhi. 

q: what is your role with MIRTH and how long have you worked with the brand?

a: my role with MIRTH is broad. I have been the one-point contact for the MIRTH india business. MIRTH encourages everyone who is associated to create their ownership of the MIRTH brand and to have pride in it. MIRTH has empowered me to think laterally and come up with creative ideas and products.

 

q: what is your favorite part about your job with MIRTH?

a: my favorite part is to visit artisans and to be with them watching them create masterpieces. i love their simplicity and innocence and my heart goes out to them when they struggle with their financial troubles. i wish i could do so much more for them and their children, and it’s always such a beautiful feeling when MIRTH supports them. the slight smile on their faces when they get a small order really melts me. i feel proud to be a part of MIRTH who supports the artisan and their living.

another favorite part is to open the boxes of new collections. to get an opportunity to see the new designs and get the products made as per the awesome collections.

 

q: who is the most supportive woman in your life?

a:  there are 2 women–

primarily, my mother, mrs. savita sharma. she has given immense support to me throughout. i can proudly say, what i am today is because of my mother. 

and dr. nidhi shankar. i met her five years back and she has been another pillar of support in my life when i am far off my mother, she is there to support, encourage me. she is an inspiration.

 

q: what is your hope for the future generations of women in your country?

a: the future definitely looks brighter for the future generation of women in India. though, there is so much more that can be done. there are now many schemes to encourage women and incentives by the government to become micro-entrepreneurs. while society itself needs to be transformed, i do believe that women are being noticed.

 

we appreciate the women we work with and look forward to working with many more in the coming years!

 

xx

 

katie