A year ago, Ramchet, a 60-year-old cobbler from Sultanpur, spent his days stitching and repairing footwear in a small roadside shop, barely making ends meet. Today, he is gearing up to launch his own footwear brand, ‘Ramchet Mochi,’ thanks to the support and mentorship of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Ramchet’s journey took a turn when Rahul Gandhi, during his outreach programs, noticed his craftsmanship and decided to help. The Congress MP from Rae Bareli gifted him a machine to improve his work and later invited him to Delhi, where he had the opportunity to present his handmade slippers to Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at 10, Janpath.

In a further push to his entrepreneurial dream, Rahul Gandhi arranged for Ramchet to visit Mumbai, where he met Sudheer Rajbhar, a well-known leather entrepreneur and founder of the design brand Chamar Studio. For Ramchet, who had never boarded a flight before, the experience was eye-opening.

“I saw innovative footwear and bag designs using wood and rubber. I also experimented with machine-based crafting techniques. Rahul Gandhi and Sudheer Rajbhar encouraged me to take my skills to the next level,” Ramchet told local reporters in Sultanpur.

Since then, Ramchet has expanded his work. He has set up a small workshop with a few artisans and invested in better tools. His son, who once had no interest in the trade, now spends hours each day learning the craft. The cobbler who once earned Rs 100-150 per day now earns in thousands and dreams of building his own brand.

Rahul Gandhi, who shared their meeting on social media on March 6, praised Rajbhar’s success story as an example of Dalit entrepreneurship and the potential of traditional artisans when given access to opportunities.

For Ramchet, the dream is no longer just about survival. With his new brand taking shape, he hopes to inspire other local artisans to believe in their craft and strive for something bigger.

Congress leaders have praised Rahul’s initiative, calling it a model for grassroots entrepreneurship.