Chennai: Women empowerment is one of the issues debated in the country even today. Even after 75 years of Independence, the women who form nearly 50% of the country’s population are facing a number of challenges, which include sociological, financial, family-related among others. The major challenges faced by the women in the country today are lack of opportunities to become financially independent, the constraints like child marriage, etc. However, today, we have tens of role models who can inspire women in the true sense. Many of them are working in rural areas, have launched their own manufacturing units, which are providing job opportunities for the local women, besides training them in the required skills. This is taking the women towards economic empowerment, which is helping them stand for themselves.
A shining example of such a success is Gunavathy Chandrasekaran, 41. A Class X pass out, she is hailed as one of the finest examples of how determination can help women change their fortunes. She is widely felicitated across the globe and considered a role model! Fondly called Guna, her achievements today are considered path-breaking. There are several reasons for this.
Who is Gunavathy Chandrasekaran?
Guna hails from a remote village called Chinnalapatti in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu state. When she was two years old, she was diagnosed with polio, and later she developed limping gait due to the shortening of one of the legs. Her condition restricted her mobility, but like they say determination knows no restrictions, nothing could stop Guna. Her physical condition kept her away from higher education. Married at 16, Guna knew that she was not ready to settle down with all the disadvantages she had suffered. She always wanted to take control of her life and knit a better future for herself.
Love for Art
Guna had a great love for art and she used to make paper quilling as a hobby. She decided to use her creativity to move forward in life. Initially, she started preparing Quilling works like wall arts, greeting cards, wedding cards, miniatures, company logos, name boards, jewelry, etc. Her works were so beautiful that she got a good number of customers right from the beginning. There were no social media or e-commerce platforms in those days, but yet, she was able to find buyers for her work. These artworks brought a new lease of life to Guna.
Scripting history
“I started ‘Guna’s Quilling’ in 2013. Since 2014, I have been actively participating in various national and state-level exhibitions. The response is very good”
She says adding that when she started her business many had doubted her ability. Today, she is considered a woman entrepreneur who had the courage to stand for herself.
Waste to wealth
One of the unique features of her quilling art is that she uses waste materials to create her magic. Her dream is to convert the ‘Waste into Wealth‘.
The Take Off
As her popularity grew beyond Tamil Nadu, she was invited as a member of the Quilling Guild, United Kingdom. She was called as the resource person for the British Council’s workshop held in July 2014. The following year, British Council asked her to share her experience as a successful entrepreneur in front of a global audience.
Sharing Knowlegde
‘Guna’s Quilling‘ is one of the most sought-after firms by the women for the training sessions. Paper Quilling is an art. It is very easy to learn, but creativity is key. Experts point out that Quilling helps us to be active. Guna is known for training in this art. She is an internationally certified trainer in basic quilling, shapes, different types of quilling patterns, combining different shapes to make beautiful keepsakes, unique spired shapes, fridge magnets, jewelry, wall art, and gumming techniques. Her popularity is such that people across the globe attend her training sessions.
Till now she has trained over 2,000 people in Paper Quilling art. Many of them are today running their own business. This is how Guna has brought change amid all the challenges. As she is using Whats app successfully for selling her products, but she is featured as WA women achievers too. Thousands of her products are now available on all the major e-commerce platforms.
Helping many women
Today she is helping many women, especially the disabled from the rural areas to get jobs in quilling works. A winner of Tamil Nadu state awards in the Art & Craft categories, she is one of the members of Quilling Guild, UK. She was selected by the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Bengaluru for the Women Entrepreneur Program. Her turnover in mere Paper Quilling has crossed Rs.5 lakhs per month. With near to zero investment, but she is showing the world how mere determination can make anyone realize their dreams.
Motivational speaker Guna is one of the most sought-after motivational speakers for entrepreneurs. But she is honored by the governments of Tamilnadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, and Karnataka. Also, she is the recipient of several awards for her entrepreneurship skills.
“When I was affected by polio, my family was worried about my future. But today all are proud of my achievements,” she signed off.
