Encouraged by Rahul Gandhi, Sultanpur cobbler preparing to launch own brand 'Ramchet Mochi'
Sultanpur (UP) (PTI): Ramchet, a cobbler from Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh, is preparing to launch his own brand -- 'Ramchet Mochi'.
And the man who played a key role in Ramchet's transformation was Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP from Rae Bareli, who gifted him a machine to help in his work.
In February, Rahul Gandhi invited Ramchet to 10, Janpath in Delhi, where the latter presented his handcrafted slippers to Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Most recently, Rahul Gandhi flew Ramchet to Mumbai, where he introduced him to Sudheer Rajbhar, an established leather businessman and founder of the design brand Chamar Studio, a meeting that gave a major push to 60-year-old Ramchet's passage from a small-time cobbler to a budding entrepreneur.
The Congress leader also shared photos of his meeting with Ramchet on X on Thursday (March 6).
Ramchet returned to his shop in Babuganj with renewed aspirations after his Mumbai trip.
For someone who never boarded a flight before, Ramchet was left deeply impressed by Rajbhar's thriving leather business, which exports products worldwide.
"There I saw innovative designs for bags and sandals, many of which used wood and rubber. I also made purses and experimented with machine-based designs. Rahul Gandhi and Sudheer Rajbhar appreciated my craftsmanship, and motivated me to take my work to the next level," he said.
Ramchet is now teaching his son the craft and is determined to establish his own brand, 'Ramchet Mochi'.
And he credits Rahul Gandhi for his continued support.
Ramchet’s business has expanded significantly since his meeting with Rahul Gandhi last year. He set up a machine in a rented space, where he now makes shoes with the help of two to three artisans.
His son also joins in for a few hours each day to learn the trade.
Once earning a mere Rs 100-150 from repairs, Ramchet now claims to make thousands each month.
In a post on X on March 6, Rahu Gandhi praised Rajbhar for embodying the journey of countless Dalit youth -- talented and full of ideas, yet lacking access to opportunities.
"Unlike many, Sudheer built his own network, recognising the skills of Dharavi's artisans and creating a globally recognised brand. His success shows how traditional craftsmanship and modern entrepreneurship can empower artisans," the Congress leader wrote, hoping that the model is replicated across India.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
