A cobbler from Uttar Pradesh’s Sultanpur district has launched his own footwear brand, ‘Ramchet Mochi,’ with encouragement and support from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP from Rae Bareli, gifted 60-year-old Ramchet a shoe stitching machine. Later, Ramchet was invited to 10, Janpath, the residence of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi in Delhi. During this visit, he presented his handcrafted slippers to Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
How brand took off?
Rahul Gandhi also facilitated a meeting between Ramchet and Sudheer Rajbhar, founder of the design brand Chamar Studio, in Mumbai. This meeting provided Ramchet with business insights and guidance.
The Indian National Congress (INC) shared the news on their official X handle (@INCIndia), stating: “A few days ago, leader of the people Rahul Gandhi met shoemaker Ramchet Ji in Sultanpur, UP. Rahul Gandhi encouraged him to move forward and sent him a shoe stitching machine. Now Ramchet Ji has launched his footwear brand ‘Ramchet Mochi’.”
(Credit: X@INCIndia)
After his Mumbai visit, Ramchet returned to his small shop in Babuganj, Sultanpur, with a renewed sense of purpose. With a brand of his own, he now hopes to expand his business beyond the local market and create employment opportunities for other skilled cobblers in the region. “I saw innovative footwear and bag designs using wood and rubber. I also experimented with machine-based crafting techniques. Rahul Gandhi and Sudheer Rajbhar encouraged me to take my skills to the next level,” PTI reported Ramchet saying.
Political implications
Rahul Gandhi’s involvement in Ramchet’s journey is being seen as part of his broader effort to highlight economic justice and opportunities for small businesses.
Meanwhile, social media has shown support for Ramchet’s initiative. Earlier earning Rs 100-150 per day from shoe repairs, he now claims to earn thousands every month.
(With PTI inputs)
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