Gulmeher Green Producer Company
We are demonstrating a sustainable social enterprise business model, and have incorporated Gulmeher Green Producer Company, in which erstwhile women waste-pickers and women from other disadvantaged communities are owners and shareholders. Incorporated in 2014, the goal for Gulmeher is to become financially self-sustainable and for the women to chart the growth, both professionally and in their family lives
Meet The Team
Ms. Naseema
Director
Meet Naseema, a resilient individual whose journey embodies the spirit of determination. Naseema Bibi belongs to Nandigram in West Bengal. She came to Delhi to support her husband leaving her four children at her in-laws place as they couldn’t afford to have their whole family here. With unwavering dedication, she joined Gulmeher to provide for her family. “I can’t afford to educate all of them here. My youngest son is with me who studies at a local government school here, my daughter and my other two sons are back in my village. They study there..”
Ms. Kamla Joshi
Director & Centre in Charge
Ms. Kamla Devi
Director
Ms. Rukhsar
Director & Production Supervisor
Meet Rukhsar, a dedicated and talented member of our team at Gulmeher. As the eldest sister, she made significant sacrifices to support her family, but her dreams of education were put on hold. At the age of 17, she joined Gulmeher, where she found a space to freely express herself and learn new skills.Working silently for three years without her father’s knowledge, Rukhsar received unwavering support from her grandmother and mother. Gulmeher has been her window to freedom, allowing her to explore new places and embrace her creativity, and she is now the supervisor for the phool-patti section.
Mr. Suresh C Khanduri
Director
Artist Shareholders of Gulmeher
Mukhtarun
Mukhtarun and her husband live in Ghazipur with their son who….
attends the Panchi education program. She joined Gulmeher in 2013. Over the years, she has won the best artist award several times and was also made a peer teacher. Mukhtarron earns a steady income from Gulmeher, and was also partakes in the education workshops and awareness drives. She returns to her village, near Kolkata, at least twice a year to help her family during planting season. Together the couple are now relatively satisfied with their situation and plan to continue with the arrangement. Mukhtarun says, “Being affiliated with Gulmeher allows us to be flexible and has health benefits for us. Earlier, we were doing waste-picking but now we both have clean jobs. When our son was diagnosed with TB, the manager came with us to the hospital to help us deal with all the paperwork and talk to the doctors. We would like to continue this way.”
Salma
Meet Salma, a remarkable team member at Gulmeher. As an elder sister..
amongst seven siblings, her dreams of becoming a policewoman were put on hold due to circumstances beyond her control. Eight years ago, Salma moved to Ghazipur with her widowed mother and 7 siblings. A few years later, Salma got married and she and her husband worked as rag pickers. Only a couple of months after her daughter Ameena was born, Salma’s husband returned to his village and never came back. Salma became dependent on her mother for all her needs as she had to stay home and take care of her little daughter and school going siblings. She bravely worked as a child laborer in the Ghazipur landfill and became a mother at the tender age of 13, all while shouldering the responsibilities of her family. Salma's unwavering spirit led her to Gulmeher, where she found a supportive and empowering work culture.
Vibha
Meet Vibha, a samosa enthusiast who made Delhi her home 26 years back…
A dedicated mother of five, she ensured her children's education. Arriving in Delhi with her family, fate led her to Gulmeher. An avid traveler, she's explored all of Uttarakhand's dhams, cherishing memories of Haridwar.Vibha Devi is a mother of four daughters and a son. One of her daughters is married and the other children study in the local government schools at Kalyanpuri. Working at Gulmeher has not only been a life changing but a life- saving experience for her. “My son met a serious accident a few years ago and his treatment lasted for a year. We could save his life as I had a stable income and could afford his treatment. I do not know what would have happened if I was not working here.”Vibha makes boxes and other handicraft items at Gulmeher. Now my son is back in school. Vibha was born in Bihar. “I got married at a young age and came to Delhi. It was so difficult to survive here.
Shabana
Shabana, originally from Jalpai village in West Bengal. Despite facing challenges,
my passion for learning English remains strong. While my dream of becoming a doctor was paused after 4th grade, I still cherish the knowledge gained. Married at 14 and a mother of four, my journey led me to Gulmeher. Starting as a cleaner, I discovered a new world of handicrafts and flowers. Diya-making during Diwali showcased my steady hand and attention to detail. Recognizing my skills, I transitioned to quality control, from cleaner to artist to QC assistant. My dedication to perfection aligns perfectly with quality management. Studying till 4th grade and attending entrepreneurial sessions, I strive to improve my English skills, maintaining production logs in English. Gulmeher is more than a workplace; it's where mentors guide us in maintaining a harmonious environment. With their support, I'm thriving as an artist and beyond
Ansarul
Meet Ansarul Khan, a resilient migrant worker from Nepal who has carved a
successful life for himself in Delhi. With an impressive 3-year journey at Gulmeher, Ansarul holds the cherished position of Master Tailor. His infectious cheerfulness has made him the beloved heart of our team.As a master craftsman, Ansarul plays a pivotal role in bringing every design to life, sharing his expertise with newcomers and nurturing their talents. Interestingly, he is also known for his unique fashion sense, especially his love for bell-bottom pants. In fact, when the trend faded, Ansarul embraced tailoring to keep wearing what he adores.
Manbhavti
Meet Manbhavti, a strong and compassionate team member at
Gulmeher. From a young age, she shouldered the responsibility of being a mother figure for her siblings, but her dream of becoming a teacher remained unfulfilled due to circumstances. Now, as a dedicated mother of two, she found her calling at Gulmeher during the lockdown and has been an integral part of our family for 3 years. Though her own journey as a teacher was interrupted, Manbhavti's daughter, just 12 years old, is already following in her footsteps by teaching kids in their community. Manbhavti takes immense pride in her daughter's passion and feels a sense of accomplishment in living her dream vicariously through her.
Uma
Meet Uma Ahirwal, a vibrant and talkative member of our team from
Damoh district, MP. Growing up, Uma never enjoyed studying but instead helped her father in the fields. She faced early marriage due to poverty but became an integral part of Gulmeher's core group at an early stage. To support her family and educate her children, she joined Gulmeher, bringing her infectious laughter and energy to our team. Uma is the heartbeat of Gulmeher, and her dream is to have a home in Delhi. As a master artisan, she creates stunning artworks, especially commissioned portraits. Initially skeptical, she proved her mettle by confidently taking on senior artist tasks and excelling in her craft. With Uma's dedication and talent, she embodies the spirit of empowerment and resilience at Gulmeher.
Nanhi
Meet Nanhi, a true inspiration and a valuable member of our Gulmeher
family. Despite facing challenges, she embraced her talents as a versatile artist, contributing to our stitching and phool pati unit. Nanhi's dreams have always revolved around her family's well-being. She is the sole bread earner for her family of five and has worked tirelessly to provide them with a secure and happy life.
Married at a young age, she is a mother of three daughters; “My daughter Pari (second child) was 3 months old at that time and I was really concerned about the future of Sania (the eldest daughter) and Pari. I did not want them to end up like me. I myself wanted to do something better. I did not want to be a waste picker.”
As a waste picker, she had a meagre income. Recounting her journey with Gulmeher, she recalls, “I have been working at Gulmeher for the last nine years. I enjoy my work here and more importantly I earn regularly and I have a decent income which is likely to increase further.”
Sushma
Meet Sushma, a devoted kaju katli enthusiast with an insatiable craving for
it. Though her formal education ended after the 9th grade due to family constraints, her aspiration to become a teacher never waned. Sushma's journey led her through various NGOs, including Pratham, Ro, and Katha. With an innate passion for dance and a melodious voice that echoes her favorite bhajans, she finds solace. Life took a turn when Sushma embraced motherhood and momentarily contemplated trading her career for homemaking. However, her commitment prevailed, and for the past 4 years, she has been an unwavering part of our story. Today, she channels her unrealized dreams through her 9-year-old daughter, who aspires to be a doctor. Sushma's resilience and dedication continue to inspire us.
Sunita
Sunita was married at 12 and became a mother by 17 years. She came to Delhi in
2015 to get her children a good education from Patna. She loves to travel and is fond of Pani Puri to the core. She is still a very quiet person but has moved leaps in shedding down her silence. She used to run away from her school to play hide and seek with her friends. She wants to visit Calcutta and try their rasgulla as her parents live there now.
Jumeira
Meet Jumeira, a fish lover hailing from the Ganges banks in Kolkata. Her life
embodies resilience, as she supported her mother in raising her three siblings from a tender age of 8, initially working as a waste collector. Despite facing challenges, she remained dedicated and even became a mother herself at 15. While she enjoys TV dramas like "Baalika Vadhu" and "Shiv Shakti," her profound love for the ocean and her village, Chalti, sets her apart. Her aspiration? To establish a home with four rooms in her beloved village, where she can relish the tranquility she adores. Jumeira's journey is a testament to her unwavering spirit.
Ruby
Meet Ruby, an enthusiastic member of the stitching team at Gulmeher. Hailing
Meet Ruby, an enthusiastic member of the stitching team at Gulmeher. Hailing from Sitamadhi, Bihar, her journey led her to Dallupura in Delhi. Despite marrying early and not completing her education, Ruby aspires to be a teacher. Her passion for samosas and Bollywood's Akshay Kumar made her sneak out for a movie and a 20 rs samosa treat. While travel remains a dream, joining Gulmeher brought her to Palampur for the first time, igniting a desire to explore Shimla someday. Ruby envisions a future where her daughter becomes a policewoman, embodying her aspirations.
Farida
Farida’s remarkable journey spans from Gol Darwaz in Lucknow to Khichripur in
Delhi, yet her heart remains intertwined with the memories of Lucknow. Hailing from a lineage of artistic excellence in Chickenkari and block printing, her roots are rich. A deep affection for the sea draws her to Mumbai's Chaupati. As a mother to three daughters, she steered them all towards successful graduations. At the helm of the stitching gang, Farida emerges as an inspiring leader, earning the respect and admiration of all
Kiran
Kiran embodies boundless rhythmic energy, effortlessly swaying to any tune.
A self-taught tailor and versatile asset at Gulmeher, she not only sustains the organization but also wields a magical needle. Her heart dances for chole bhature, and her soul yearns for Rajasthan's embrace. Life's uncertainties thrust her into the role of sole provider for her family of five, but resilience defines her. Her aspirations find form in her daughter, whose medical dreams Kiran nurtures ardently. A self-made artisan, she ventured into crafting intricate diya boxes last year. Kiran's journey inspires.
Brijesh
Brijesh Kumar, Coordinator, Logistics: A dedicated aloo paratha enthusiast with
an uncanny ability to detect its aroma from a distance. A vital asset to the operations team, he wields negotiation skills that could secure even the Taj Mahal. His street-smart ingenuity enables us to source eco-friendly materials, driving us towards a negative carbon footprint. A true sustainability champion
Shakti Foundation Team Supporting Gulmeher
Anurag Kashyap
Director
Disha Keshav
Creative Head
Madan Singh Bangari
Operations Manager
Abhijit Patwal
Collaborations & Marketing
Tushar Ahal
Documentation, Fundraising & IT
Kamlesh Kumar
Coordinator, Inventory & Printing
Meet Kamlesh, the cheerful youngster from the Gulmeher gang, ever ready to lend a helping hand. Adored by all, he’s a true all-rounder – a karate black belt, a pickle connoisseur, and a dependable ally. With roles ranging from being the backbone of his family of six to managing Gulmeher’s daily affairs, he’s also a master of replication in print and a dedicated evening sports instructor. Kamlesh embodies versatility and kindness in every role he takes on.
Kamini
Coordinator, MIS
Meet Kamini, a dosa enthusiast hailing from Sultanpur, UP, who now resides in Delhi. As the eldest among her siblings, she admirably assists her mother in managing their household. Kamini’s long-cherished desire to witness snowfall dates back to her childhood, reflecting her profound yearning for new experiences. Her passion for mehndi art is evident, as intricate designs grace her palms consistently. With an unwavering smile, Kamini aspires to become a PCS officer, exemplifying her determination and compassion. Her kind-hearted nature shines through, making her a true embodiment of positivity.