From ruin to resilience: 46 Wayanad women sew new hope with Bailey umbrellas, bags

A year after devastating landslides swept through Wayanad’s Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Kerala, a group of 46 women have stitched together a quiet but powerful comeback — one umbrella and bag at a time. Their journey to recovery, resilience and self-reliance now proudly carries the name ‘Bailey’, inspired by the Bailey bridge built by the Indian Army at Chooralmala, the first sign of hope in the midst of disaster.

The ‘Bailey Umbrella and Bags Project’ was launched by the district administration in partnership with Kudumbashree, a poverty eradication and women empowerment program implemented by the State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM), to help women who had lost everything find their footing again. It is no ordinary livelihood scheme. For many of these women, it marks the beginning of a new chapter — one with the rustle of fabric, the clack of sewing machines and the quiet dignity of earning an income.

The first umbrellas — 390 of them — were made with materials provided by the Indian Army, who had been at the frontlines of rescue operations. Training sessions followed, led by Kudumbashree and the administration, helping the women hone their craft. Soon, their colourful umbrellas began appearing in Kudumbashree stalls and Tribal Department outlets. In Kalpetta’s civil station, a permanent counter now proudly showcases the Bailey brand.

The bags have their own story to tell. What began as a modest production line is now bustling with orders — 277 bags from Kudumbashree, 50 from the Suchitwa Mission, 370 from NABARD, 50 from the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, 100 from the State Bank of India, a whopping 1,000 from Ananterra Resort, and 100 more from the Department of Commerce. Each order is a nod of encouragement, a step forward.

Plans are now underway to take these handcrafted products beyond Wayanad — into local markets and online platforms. For the women, the Bailey Bags project is no longer just a workplace; it is a place of healing, purpose and shared strength.

Minister for Local Self Government MB Rajesh couldn’t be prouder. “They are preparing a great model of revival,” he wrote. “Today, these families can ensure income and livelihood. The name of these initiatives, ‘Bailey’, also shares the message of survival of Mundakkai.” And as Bailey umbrellas begin to dot the streets and Bailey bags find their way into homes, one thing is clear — this is not just a project, but a quiet celebration of survival.

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