By Pritesh Kamble, Head of Inclusion Unit, CYDA
From a daily wage labourer to a dignified business, this is the story of a man who challenged poverty and social barriers to create a dignified life for himself and his family. Ramesh Madhavrao Waghmare is a skilled tailor from Nanded who now runs his own small tailoring business and supports his family with pride.
Few years back, Ramesh worked as a daily wage laborer and struggled to support his family. He earned very little, and there were times when even putting food on the table was a challenge. The uncertainty of work meant he never knew if he would have enough money to pay for his children’s school fees or cover household expenses.
Rising above challenges with strength and hope
In addition to financial hardships, Ramesh faced emotional stress and social isolation. As a bisexual man in a conservative society, he was often judged, excluded, and treated unfairly. Many people looked at him with suspicion or avoided interacting with him altogether. This constant discrimination made him feel lonely and unsupported, even within his own community. It was a time filled with both physical and emotional hardship, where every day felt like a battle just to survive.
Empowered by training, strengthened by support
Over time, he developed an interest in tailoring and decided to learn the skill to start a more stable and dignified livelihood. For the last two years, he has been running a tailoring business. But the path was full of challenges. Initially, no one was willing to give him work, and people would avoid getting their clothes stitched by him.
His life took a positive turn when he came across CYDA, which encouraged him to attend a two-day Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP). This program is designed for the LGBTQIA+ community in collaboration with Intel.This training became a turning point for Ramesh. Through the program, he learnt essential business strategies such as how to manage daily expenses, budget plan, profit and loss, branding, and attract more customers. He also gained practical knowledge about maintaining accounts, improving customer service and setting short and long-term business goals. Most importantly, the training boosted his confidence and gave him the motivation to grow and develop his tailoring business more professionally.
With a fresh attitude, updated knowledge, and a sense of purpose, Ramesh returned to his work. With fresh attitude and updated knowledge in hand and a sense of purpose in his heart, Ramesh returned to his work. With a seed capital of Rs . 10K through CYDA, he purchased a sewing machine. His income has increased to Rs . 3K, and he also earns more as per the orders received. Earlier, he used to stitch only blouses. But with the monetary support, he bought materials and tools and now he confidently stitches Punjabi dresses as well.
Ramesh expresses heartfelt gratitude to CYDA, saying:
The support from CYDA is unforgettable. That Rs . 10,000/- grant was a huge help–it gave me the strength to dream bigger.
Stitch by stitch – A new identity
Today, Ramesh stands as a symbol of strength and transformation. His income has improved significantly, offering his family a life of greater dignity and stability. Now, his daughters attend school without any fear. His wife stands proudly beside him, watching her husband rise in business. More importantly, Ramesh has begun to reclaim his identity-not as something to hide, but as a part of his unique journey. The society that once excluded him now admires his work. Acceptance has not come overnight, and there is still a long road ahead. But every stitch he sews is another step forward-not just for him, but for every individual fighting silent battles.
There are thousands like Ramesh across India-skilled, driven, and full of potential-waiting for someone to believe in them. His life emphasizes the fact that empowerment is not charity; it is investment in the kind of change that lifts entire communities.
