What a promising July it has been for us! On the very first day of the Tokyo Olympics 2020, weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu won a silver medal in the Women’s 49 kg and lifted all our spirits. In the same breath of optimism, C.A. Bhavani Devi became the first Indian representative in fencing in the history of the Olympics.

In the everyday world, India’s merchandise exports shot up by 47.34% to $32.46 billion in June, compared with June 2020. Union Minister Piyush Goyal affirmed that “Exports during April-June period are the highest-ever merchandise exports in a quarter in the history of India.”

While July gives us hope, there is talk of a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in August. But this time, let’s take a lesson from our past and be prepared to tackle it. Let’s make sure that our country stays safe and healthy to keep up the momentum of positivity.

Let’s do this for all the aspiring Mirabai Chanus or Bhavani Devis waiting to take to the tracks with a fresh mind and a healthy body. Let’s do this for our handloom industry, which celebrates its glorious legacy on August 7 every year.

Let’s do this for Kabita, who dreams of her tant sarees reaching the fashion capitals of the world in the spring-summer collections.

Tant sarees, light lengths of cotton fabric, have long been the pride of Bengali women on either side of the Ganga/Padma River. It is said that the fame of Jamdani tant adversely impacted the textile industry of Britain during the Industrial Revolution. The British attempted to reduce the production of such fine cotton fabrics to save their textile industry. Today, Unesco recognizes the Jamdani tant as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Tant weaver Kabita Santra from Ningra village in Purba Barddhaman district hopes that her woven sarees will reach the global market as the pride of India. This aspiring MSME entrepreneur is one of the ambitious women customers supported by VFS in their journey towards entrepreneurial success and financial stability.

Mother of three, Kabita was employed as a tant weaver in a nearby village. Being in this industry for years, Kabita realized that her experience created the potential to start independently. Kabita set out on a journey as an entrepreneur with VFS, joining the JLG Anu.

Kabita launched her business with one loom. Her eldest son, a high school graduate, helped her get the raw material. After every week, Kabita’s husband takes the finished product for sale at the nearby haat or weekly market.

Years of experience and deft handiwork propelled her sales, and soon Kabita had four looms.

A VFS executive, as part of the company’s customer-connect program, called up Kabita. The cheery entrepreneur discussed her journey and her plans. She told us that, while the lockdown had impacted operations, her workshop has regained its productive vigour.

She spoke of her youngest child, her daughter, preparing for her first board exam, due next year. She spoke of her middle child, her son, preparing for higher studies.

Most importantly, she spoke of her dreams to export her sarees to Paris, New York and London.

Her ambition is clear: her sarees will someday bring hope for many women who aspire to be like her, waiting to realize their true potential.