Jagrutiben’s family migrated from Sindh in 1971. Her father does electric fitting and clock repair, currently in Mundra. The family lived for a year in Pragpur II, near Mundra, but returned to Sumrasar. Today, an elder brother, a younger sister, and an aunt and uncle live with Jagrutiben and her parents. Jagrutiben had to leave school when she was in 3rd grade because her mother became ill. After helping in the house for several years, she learned embroidery from her aunt. Jagrutiben has never left Kutch or seen the sea. Coming to Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya is the first time she has spent without her family.

Jagrutiben believes that suf embroidery is art, and has meaning. “We have become known through our embroidery,” she says, “and have earned from it. It is our identity and we enjoy it.” She is confident that suf will increase if young girls do good new designs and clients like them. In her opinion, good design is good colour and stitches, with a basis of thought.

Jagrutiben hopes to become a designer, to learn. She wants to grow and make her parents proud. “Fruits come from labour,” she says. If we plant an akro we don’t get an ambo tree. We have to plant a mango seed.

Jagrutiben was disappointed to leave school. “When I came here I thought I got a new life. This is our school. This course is a gift to us. We can stand on our own feet and get a good name.”