Meet the Artisan: Deepika Rajeshbhai Surti

Embroidery Artisan, WARE Collective

Deepika’s life took shape early—and not easily. Growing up in Mumbai, she chose to marry at 18, a decision that meant leaving her education behind. For a time, even her parents stepped away. With very limited means and a pregnancy soon after, those early years were marked by uncertainty and struggle.

What steadied her was the quiet, unwavering support of her mother-in-law, who stood by her through it all. Over time—and through her mother’s connection to the cooperative—Deepika slowly rebuilt both work and family ties. It didn’t happen overnight, but it mattered deeply.

Joining the cooperative took persistence. Her husband was hesitant, but Deepika held her ground. Once she began earning, something shifted. Income brought stability, but more than that, it gave her confidence and a sense of direction.

“I learned some of life’s biggest lessons very young,” she says.

At home, she is known for her calm strength and steady care. At work, that same focus shows up in everything she does. Deepika is also an artist—after a thoughtful and collective process of defining shared values, she translated them into visual posters now displayed across the cooperatives.

She continues to push herself to learn and grow, a quiet influencer within her group.

Deepika’s path hasn’t been simple. But step by step, she has shaped a life grounded in resilience, respect, and her own sense of possibility.