83-Year-Old Ludhiana Woman Sells Handmade Deity Clothes to Support Herself
Every evening from 5 pm to 8 pm, 83-year-old Darshan Kaur sits near Sohan Karyana Store on Chandigarh Road in Ludhiana, stitching and selling handmade clothes for idols of Lord Krishna, Lord Hanuman, and Khatu Shyam. These deity garments, locally called poshak, are her only source of income.
Darshan Kaur, a Ludhiana resident, was earlier employed but had to quit due to severe cervical pain. Instead of depending on others, she turned to her stitching skills to earn a living with dignity.
Weekly Trips to Gurd Mandi for Materials
Once a week, she visits Gurd Mandi to purchase cloth, lace, decorative borders, and other materials. She then spends hours at home hand-stitching each piece before bringing them to her roadside stall.
She prepares dresses in various sizes for different deities. Depending on design and size, her total monthly earnings range from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000, barely enough to cover daily expenses.
Refuses Sympathy, Seeks Appreciation for Her Work
“I do not want anyone’s sympathy. I only want people to buy my work if they like it. This is how I earn my livelihood,” she said with a smile.
Regular visitors admire her determination. Many stop not only to purchase but also to encourage her. “At this age, she is still working with dedication instead of depending on others. Her hard work deserves appreciation,” said a customer.
Family Financial Hardships
Darshan Kaur’s family has faced financial difficulties for years. She has two sons: one drives an auto-rickshaw for a modest income, while the other struggles to find regular work. Rather than relying entirely on them, she continues stitching deity dresses daily to support herself and ease the family’s burden.
For Darshan Kaur, every dress carries both faith and hope. Age and illness have slowed her pace but not weakened her resolve. Sitting quietly by the roadside each evening, she stitches together a life of self-respect, proving that dignity comes from the willingness to keep working despite hardships.
