Born in Kolkata, she grew up in a home filled with love, tradition, and a strong sense of community. Her maternal grandparents' house, in a village in Bihar, was her cherished retreat during vacations. She fondly recalls the simple joys of childhood climbing trees, playing by the river, and sleeping under the open sky with her cousins. She was cherished by everyone, from sweet vendors handing her treats to tailors offering to stitch her dresses. But life had a way of testing her beyond anything she could have imagined.
Stitching Success, One Thread at a Time: A Rise from Ruin
When Sushma moved to Mumbai in 1984 with her husband, they carried dreams of a secure and happy life. But when his yarn business collapsed, their world fell apart. With a debt of ₹20 lakhs and no steady income, survival became a daily struggle. There were days when food was scarce, and every rupee had to be stretched. The weight of uncertainty left her husband disheartened, but Sushma refused to let despair take over. When she expressed her desire to start a business, doubt surrounded her. “You don’t even know the B of business,” her husband warned. But she had something stronger than experience an unbreakable will.
With a small loan from her father, she stepped into the fashion fabric industry, only to be met with endless hurdles. Suppliers overcharged her, manufacturers misled her, and she had to learn everything through trial and error. Yet, she pushed forward, turning every failure into a lesson. Her defining moment came at an exhibition in Germany, where an Italian buyer placed a huge order for silk shirts something she had never made before. She accepted the challenge, working relentlessly to master production, but disaster struck just before shipping. A fabric layering mistake threatened to ruin the order. Instead of panicking, she chose honesty, admitting the error to the buyer. To her surprise, he appreciated her integrity and gave her more time, teaching her that perseverance and truth matter more than expertise.
That moment set the foundation for a Exports company, which grew into an internationally recognized brand. Over time, her fabrics found their way into the wardrobes of celebrities and royalty, yet for Sushma, success was never about fame it was about proving that no challenge was insurmountable. She had transformed every hardship into an opportunity, proving to herself, her family, and the world that persistence pays off.
Perhaps the greatest triumph of all? Her husband, once a skeptic, became her strongest supporter. Eventually, he joined her in the business full-time, standing beside her as they built something greater than just a company a testament to resilience, partnership, and unwavering belief.
When Sushma moved to Mumbai in 1984 with her husband, they carried dreams of a secure and happy life. But when his yarn business collapsed, their world fell apart. With a debt of ₹20 lakhs and no steady income, survival became a daily struggle. There were days when food was scarce, and every rupee had to be stretched. The weight of uncertainty left her husband disheartened, but Sushma refused to let despair take over. When she expressed her desire to start a business, doubt surrounded her. “You don’t even know the B of business,” her husband warned. But she had something stronger than experience an unbreakable will.
With a small loan from her father, she stepped into the fashion fabric industry, only to be met with endless hurdles. Suppliers overcharged her, manufacturers misled her, and she had to learn everything through trial and error. Yet, she pushed forward, turning every failure into a lesson. Her defining moment came at an exhibition in Germany, where an Italian buyer placed a huge order for silk shirts something she had never made before. She accepted the challenge, working relentlessly to master production, but disaster struck just before shipping. A fabric layering mistake threatened to ruin the order. Instead of panicking, she chose honesty, admitting the error to the buyer. To her surprise, he appreciated her integrity and gave her more time, teaching her that perseverance and truth matter more than expertise.
That moment set the foundation for a Exports company, which grew into an internationally recognized brand. Over time, her fabrics found their way into the wardrobes of celebrities and royalty, yet for Sushma, success was never about fame it was about proving that no challenge was insurmountable. She had transformed every hardship into an opportunity, proving to herself, her family, and the world that persistence pays off.
Perhaps the greatest triumph of all? Her husband, once a skeptic, became her strongest supporter. Eventually, he joined her in the business full-time, standing beside her as they built something greater than just a company a testament to resilience, partnership, and unwavering belief.
Crafting a Life of Beauty: Art, Music, and the Soul's Expression.
Beyond business, Sushma has always had a deeply creative side. She finds joy in embroidery, painting, and crafting, often using her hands to create intricate designs and beautiful pieces of art. Stitching and working with fabrics is not just her profession—it is her passion, a form of self-expression that brings her peace and happiness. She believes that every woman carries an innate creativity and enjoys bringing colors, textures, and patterns to life.
Her curiosity extends to learning new things. Whether it’s picking up a new craft, reading about historical events, or exploring different artistic techniques, she finds comfort in constant learning. She has always been drawn to beauty in fabrics, in nature, in art and she brings this appreciation into every aspect of her life.
Music is another passion that has been a constant in her life. She is fond of old Bollywood songs by Talat Mehmood, Hemant Mukherjee, and others. Their melodies transport her to different times, reminding her that no matter how tough life gets, there is always beauty to be found.
Her daily routine reflects her disciplined yet vibrant personality. She starts her mornings with meditation and prayer, believing in the power of gratitude and mindfulness. This helps her stay grounded and ready to face the day with strength and positivity. Despite her busy schedule, she makes time for creative pursuits, considering them not just hobbies but necessities that fuel her spirit.
Beyond business, Sushma has always had a deeply creative side. She finds joy in embroidery, painting, and crafting, often using her hands to create intricate designs and beautiful pieces of art. Stitching and working with fabrics is not just her profession—it is her passion, a form of self-expression that brings her peace and happiness. She believes that every woman carries an innate creativity and enjoys bringing colors, textures, and patterns to life.
Her curiosity extends to learning new things. Whether it’s picking up a new craft, reading about historical events, or exploring different artistic techniques, she finds comfort in constant learning. She has always been drawn to beauty in fabrics, in nature, in art and she brings this appreciation into every aspect of her life.
Music is another passion that has been a constant in her life. She is fond of old Bollywood songs by Talat Mehmood, Hemant Mukherjee, and others. Their melodies transport her to different times, reminding her that no matter how tough life gets, there is always beauty to be found.
Her daily routine reflects her disciplined yet vibrant personality. She starts her mornings with meditation and prayer, believing in the power of gratitude and mindfulness. This helps her stay grounded and ready to face the day with strength and positivity. Despite her busy schedule, she makes time for creative pursuits, considering them not just hobbies but necessities that fuel her spirit.
A Life of Meaning: Beyond Success, a Commitment to Growth and Contribution
For Sushma, life is not just about work and success it is about making a meaningful impact. She believes in staying engaged, always learning, and continuing to contribute to society. She sees every struggle as an opportunity for growth and every success as a step toward a larger purpose. She has learned that persistence, honesty, and a willingness to adapt are the true keys to overcoming hardships.
She strongly believes in financial and emotional independence, values that she hopes to pass on to future generations. Sushma also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, whether through formal education, life experiences, or creative pursuits. She finds joy in mentoring younger women, encouraging them to embrace their own strength and capabilities.
Despite her achievements, she has no plans to retire. “I pray that I die at my work desk,” she says. “I don’t want to sit idle I want to keep moving, learning, and growing.”
For Sushma, life is not just about work and success it is about making a meaningful impact. She believes in staying engaged, always learning, and continuing to contribute to society. She sees every struggle as an opportunity for growth and every success as a step toward a larger purpose. She has learned that persistence, honesty, and a willingness to adapt are the true keys to overcoming hardships.
She strongly believes in financial and emotional independence, values that she hopes to pass on to future generations. Sushma also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, whether through formal education, life experiences, or creative pursuits. She finds joy in mentoring younger women, encouraging them to embrace their own strength and capabilities.
Despite her achievements, she has no plans to retire. “I pray that I die at my work desk,” she says. “I don’t want to sit idle I want to keep moving, learning, and growing.”
Sukoon Unlimited: Giving Back with Love
Having endured struggles of her own, Sushma deeply understands the isolation that many elderly people experience. Her husband has been bedridden for 35 years, and through his illness, she has gained firsthand experience in handling seniors suffering from multiple health conditions, including dementia. This journey has instilled in her immense compassion and patience.
This understanding led her to join Sukoon Unlimited, not only as a way to support others but also because she had personally navigated the challenges of caregiving for decades. She wanted to extend her experience to help those suffering from various issues, ensuring they feel heard and cared for.
As a Sarthi (mentor), she provides companionship, encouragement, and a listening ear to seniors who feel forgotten. She continuously seeks ways to improve reading books, taking life-coaching courses, and refining her communication skills to better support those in need. Her goal is simple: to remind others that their lives still hold meaning and that they are not alone.
Having endured struggles of her own, Sushma deeply understands the isolation that many elderly people experience. Her husband has been bedridden for 35 years, and through his illness, she has gained firsthand experience in handling seniors suffering from multiple health conditions, including dementia. This journey has instilled in her immense compassion and patience.
This understanding led her to join Sukoon Unlimited, not only as a way to support others but also because she had personally navigated the challenges of caregiving for decades. She wanted to extend her experience to help those suffering from various issues, ensuring they feel heard and cared for.
As a Sarthi (mentor), she provides companionship, encouragement, and a listening ear to seniors who feel forgotten. She continuously seeks ways to improve reading books, taking life-coaching courses, and refining her communication skills to better support those in need. Her goal is simple: to remind others that their lives still hold meaning and that they are not alone.
A Lasting Legacy
Sushma’s journey is a powerful reminder that no matter what life throws at you, this too shall pass. Her story proves that age is just a number and that as long as you keep moving forward, life will always have something wonderful in store. She continues to inspire those around her with her passion, resilience, and unwavering belief in the power of perseverance.
Sushma’s journey is a powerful reminder that no matter what life throws at you, this too shall pass. Her story proves that age is just a number and that as long as you keep moving forward, life will always have something wonderful in store. She continues to inspire those around her with her passion, resilience, and unwavering belief in the power of perseverance.
0 Comments