“It started with one stitch. Today, it’s a symbol of everything she’s capable of.”
In a world that often overlooks the quiet strength of women, especially in rural India, one heartfelt initiative reminded us of the incredible power that collective action and compassion, if held together, can create lasting change.
This May, Habuild, joined hands with Phoolbasan Bai Yadav, a Padma Shri awardee and social worker who has helped empower over 8 lakh women across India through self help groups, education, and livelihood programs. Her work is changing lives and inspiring hope every single day.
Through a deeply moving campaign that honored mothers and empowered women, Habuild donated sewing machines worth ₹10.6 lakh to underserved women across Chhattisgarh.
Honouring the Unseen: Celebrating the Strength of Everyday Women
We often see women in different roles throughout our lives- the teacher who stays late to help a struggling student, the mother who skips meals so her children can eat, the nurse working night shifts with a smile, or the domestic helper who wakes before dawn to care for someone else’s home.
But somewhere there is always the doubt if women are even capable of doing tasks that men are supposed to do in this society. No matter what they do, it’s always the one thing people expect out of a woman: to cook, clean and raise a family while staying home.
But Phoolbasan Bai just changed the whole picture because she wanted to weave a different story for herself and for all the women around her. As they say, “She didn’t wait for change- she became it. And in doing so, she helped countless women rise with her.”
Sometimes our mothers as well give endlessly of their love and care and uplift us in ways that often go unseen and unthanked.
Recognising this, Habuild launched a nationwide campaign inviting individuals to take a pledge in honor of a mother figure in their lives. Be it one’s own mother, a teacher, a friend, or a mentor we encouraged our audience to commit to our 14-Day free yoga with the intention of honoring the selfless spirit of motherhood.
What made this initiative truly special was its deeper purpose: for every participant who completed our 14-Day challenge, Habuild pledged to donate sewing machines worth 14 times the pledge amount to women in rural communities.This was more than just a wellness initiative. It was a heartfelt promise to uplift another woman through our actions because “when gratitude becomes action, it changes more than hearts…. it changes lives.” And we are glad that happened with the help of our platform.
When you give back, you create real change:
And before we knew it, the response came and it was truly inspiring…..
Over 75,000 people from across India participated in the challenge, choosing to show their love for their mother figures through consistent commitment.
We all were unrolling our mats in different cities, but our breaths aligned with just one purpose, every stretch and posture carried the weight of gratitude and hope that we are doing something that we will cherish for the rest of our lives and that’s why we say, “we move but with a purpose to heal, to grow, and to come home to ourselves”.
True to its promise, Habuild followed through by donating sewing machines worth a total of ₹10.6 lakh. These machines were not mere tools, they represent freedom, opportunity, and a new beginning for hundreds of women who have long been waiting for a chance to be financially independent.
United by compassion, working hand in hand for something bigger:
To ensure these donations reached the women who needed them most, Habuild partnered with none other than Padma Shri awardee Phoolbasan Bai Yadav, a name synonymous with grassroots empowerment in India.
Over the years, Phoolbasan Bai has been working dedicatedly for the upliftment of women in our society, touching the lives of over 8 lakh women.Together with Habuild, she helped channel the impact of this campaign into villages and communities where women are often last in line to receive opportunities. Her words captured the essence of our movement: “When you give a woman the means to earn, you change the future of her entire family.”
A Gift that’s Changing Lives and Empowering Generations to Come:
A sewing machine, in its simplicity, holds the potential for transformation….
For a rural woman, it is not just a hope for a better future but a source of income that she can earn without even leaving her home. She can now fulfill her responsibilities without any guilt to send her children to school, to afford healthcare, and to contribute to her household with dignity.
Take the story of Rukmini from a small village in Chhattisgarh. She is a mother of three and a widow, she was struggling to find consistent work to support her family. With this sewing machine provided, Rukmini is now able to stitch uniforms for local schools, she is now earning enough to live a life that can provide her with basic necessities along with her children’s books and groceries.
Other than this, what she is able to now afford is the name that she is a working woman and proudly taking care of her family.
Another inspiring story is of Meena, a young woman who had to drop out of school to support her ailing parents. Today, thanks to this initiative, she is learning tailoring and planning to open a small sewing business from home.
Her story is a reminder that “when you give a woman a chance, she doesn’t just rise, she lifts others with her, building bridges for them to cross too.”
Behind every machine donated is a story of change waiting to achieve something better in life. These are women who have seen their bad days, but they have the courage to do better for their children, parents and most importantly, themselves.
With this tool in hand, they now step into a new chapter of life, one stitched with hope, self worth, and possibility.
From the one who chose to begin, so others could follow:
“Our mothers give without limits. We wanted to offer something back, not just a gesture, but real tools for empowerment.” Saurabh Bothra CEO and Co-founder of Habuild also shared the same emotion with this campaign that for every pledge taken in this initiative, we didn’t just honor a mother – we helped another woman take her first step toward self-independence.
He truly believes that Habuild, is not built just for personal transformations, but also to create some meaningful social impact in the society.
The campaign was rooted in gratitude and service and is a beautiful example of how wellness can move beyond the mat and impact real lives.
And we truly believe, “Wellness isn’t just what you do for yourself… it’s what you enable for others.”
Every Small Step Holds the Power to Change Many Lives:
Habuild has always believed in the power of small, consistent actions. With over 96 lakh people in its community and 4.5 lakh daily yoga participants, it has inspired individuals to create better habits for a healthier life.
With this, our Free Yoga programs also offer you the easiest way to begin your day with gentle movement and a clear mind.
And we want to thank every Habuilder who took part in this initiative and helped make it a success. But most importantly, they have shown that habit building can also be a powerful force for collective good actions. In line with our Habit of the Month: Do Good to Others, this was one small way we chose to spread a little more kindness in the world.
Whether it’s helping someone stay active, become mindful, or gain financial freedom, Habuild has proved that every small action counts when it’s done with good intention.And we can proudly say with our Habuilders, we do not just build habits, we empower lives and inspire kindness.
