Stitch by Stitch: Resilience Amid Crisis - May 2025 Part IV

WHEN THE UNEXPECTED STRUCK JODHPUR

By: Swati Bhardwaj, Economic Grant & Capacity Building Program Lead 

I was in Jodhpur, deeply engaged in conversations and planning alongside the women leading change in their communities. It was an exciting moment, full of ideas, shared energy, and a growing sense of possibility. Together, we were imagining what could be built when women’s voices, talents, and dreams are placed at the center.

"दीदी, अगर हम सब मिलकर साथ चलें, टांका-टांका जोड़ते जाएं, तो हम कुछ ऐसा बना सकते हैं जो सिर्फ एक उत्पाद नहीं, बल्कि हम सबका भविष्य हो।" — सरोज

One artisan, Saroj, put it beautifully: “Didi, if all of us walk together, we can create something that belongs to everyone… not just a product, but a path for our future.” 

However, everything took a sharp turn when the news broke — Operation Sindoor had been launched. The atmosphere shifted dramatically. Reports started coming in about increasing unrest and a rapidly evolving crisis in the region. The tension on the ground in Jodhpur grew with each passing hour, and safety concerns became increasingly real and urgent.

Despite our enthusiasm and the critical stage of our work, the situation required us to temporarily pause some of our in-person activities. While this was a difficult shift, it has not stalled our momentum. The ideas we sparked, the connections we built, and the shared commitment we nurtured remain strong and active. They are already informing how we adapt and continue forward, even from afar.

Moments like these remind us why resilience is at the heart of our mission. The women and communities we work alongside know how to navigate uncertainty with strength and grace — and together, we will continue to move forward.

Stitch by stitch, step by step, we are shaping a future filled with promise, possibility, and collective hope.