Himmat is a self-sustaining women’s collective initiated by those affected in the 2002 Gujarat Carnage

Himmat was formed and named so by the women of Naroda-Patiya, Ahmedabad – a year after they lost their husbands and other near and dear ones in the communal carnage. This initiative was started in Vatwa – an area on the outskirts of Ahmedabad where the survivors were relocated. Himmat was gradually embraced and strengthened by the other (mostly single) women of Vatwa. Compelled to earn for their families but refusing to bow down to the exploitative wage system of the market – these women chose to work on their own terms, their own space, their own time and under their own name ‘Himmat’ (Courage).

Himmat tailors pure cotton & khadi (hand spun cotton yarn), which has been block-printed and dyed with natural colours by artisans from Kutch, Gujrat. Besides its own product, Himmat also runs a fabrication unit which fulfills stitching orders in bulk. This income generating enterprise is non-funded and is run by the women themselves.

Through ‘Himmat’ the women learnt and honed their sewing, stitching and embroidery skills. To live a life of dignity, they learned to read and write. To tell their story they learnt to paint. To never be left behind they learnt to cycle. But most importantly, through ‘Himmat’ they have explored new friendships & shared moments of sheer joy.

Himmat is a commemoration to this very spirit which refuses to be buried as a “victim” and in effect to the goodwill and energy of all those individuals who never let the women feel alone. Through this journey we were enriched by innumerable others – other small groups such as ourselves, by artists and artisans, by those who seek a healthy environment; by those who celebrate diversity, by those who believe in non-violence, in self-reliance and in community work.