Currently, I’m pursuing an MSc in Environmental Anthropology at University College London (UCL) to deepen my understanding of human-environment intersections and build qualitative and quantitative research skills.

 

My journey in the textile industry is deeply rooted in my paternal family history with cotton ginning mills and trading. For generations, we contributed to the textile supply chain, but the 1947 Panjab divide and displacement, and later the Green Revolution, dramatically altered that landscape, negatively impacting our business, physical and mental health, and livelihood of our whole community of Panjabis. Despite these challenges, I have spent the last 15 years as an ethical textile and clothing designer and educator, built a triple bottom line practice that aims to positively impact people, the natural environment, and profits throughout the supply chain.

 

Along the journey so far, I’ve learned from a diverse array of people and fields: rural craft sector, liberal studies, creative and cultural business management, parents and other elders, industry veterans (scholars, artisans, designers, development sector leaders, businesspeople) NGOs, government bodies, and my students.

 

I believe that since evolution is inevitable, innovation is indispensable. By learning from the past and present, we can discern what to retain and what to change for the benefit of individuals, society, and the natural environment.

 

These principles shape both my life and my work.