SULTANPUR: Ramchet, a cobbler from Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, is set to launch his own brand, ‘Ramchet Mochi‘-a transformation made possible with the support of Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP from Rae Bareli, who gifted him a machine to aid his work.
Last month, Rahul Gandhi invited Ramchet to 10, Janpath in Delhi, where he presented his handcrafted slippers to Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. More recently, Gandhi flew him to Mumbai to meet Sudheer Rajbhar, founder of design brand Chamar Studio. This meeting boosted 60-year-old Ramchet’s journey from a small-time cobbler to a budding entrepreneur.
Returning to his shop in Babuganj with renewed aspirations, Ramchet was deeply impressed by Rajbhar’s thriving leather business, which exports globally.
“I saw innovative designs for bags and sandals, many made from wood and rubber. I also experimented with machine-based designs. Rahul Gandhi and Sudheer Rajbhar appreciated my craftsmanship and encouraged me to take my work to the next level,” he said.
Now, Ramchet is training his son in the craft and is determined to establish ‘Ramchet Mochi’. His business has expanded since meeting Rahul Gandhi last year-he has set up a machine in a rented space, working alongside two to three artisans. His son also joins for a few hours daily to learn the trade.
Once earning just Rs 100-150 from repairs, Ramchet now claims to make thousands each month.
