Notable Roles | - President, Gramin Vikas Evam Chetna Sansthan (2010–present) |
Key Recognition | - Nari Shakti Puraskar (2019), India’s highest civilian honor for women |
Background and Early Foundations
Born in 1988 in Barmer, Rajasthan, Ruma Devi lost her mother at a young age and dropped out of school by Class 8. Self-taught in traditional applique and hand embroidery, she gathered ten women in her village to form a self-help group. Stitch by stitch, they grew a network of rural artisans who now exhibit at global design platforms. Ruma’s journey — from hand-stitching bags to standing on India’s largest fashion stages — is one of grit, grace, and grassroots power.
Career Milestones and Impact
Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
2008 | Founded an all-women self-help group in Barmer, Rajasthan, using local embroidery skills |
2010 | Became President of Gramin Vikas Evam Chetna Sansthan, expanding training to 75+ villages |
2018 | Showcased rural women’s embroidery line at Lakme Fashion Week |
2019 | Received Nari Shakti Puraskar from President of India |
2021 | Invited to teach rural entrepreneurship at IIM-Ahmedabad as visiting faculty |
- Rural Women Trained: 30,000+ across Rajasthan and nearby states
- SHGs Formed: 200+ self-help groups under her leadership
- Fashion Events Participated: 15+ including Lakme and Jaipur Literature Festival
- Income Generation Impact: 500% avg increase for participating families
- Global Collaborations: 20+ craft and ethical fashion initiatives
Leadership Style and Influence
Ruma Devi leads by lifting others. A quiet revolutionary, she turns local knowledge into sustainable livelihoods. Her model of community-based leadership has inspired rural women to become artisans, entrepreneurs, and public speakers in their own right.
Legacy and Future Focus
Ruma’s work is proof that transformation begins at home — and in the hands of the unheard. She is focused on building digital access for rural artisans and scaling her collective’s brand globally, while staying rooted in dignity, tradition, and sisterhood.
