Renuka
I cannot stand discrimination. Often I have come across incidences when boys are enrolled in English medium schools and girls are put in Govt. schools thinking a girl’s education is less important. I strongly believe that such practices should be stopped. My son and my daughter both now go to English medium schools.
I learned English while working here and now I’m capable enough of helping out my children with their school homework. That makes me feel good about myself!
Vandana
Textile manipulation is my passion, the amount of work and patience that it takes to make a single piece of the dupatta has always been underappreciated. I have spent my whole life learning and teaching the different techniques of tie and dye. But I could never find a platform where the magic of handmade was appreciated until I started working with Abira. My talent and hard work empowered me, but Abira empowered my art.
Rupali
I only started working after my husband lost his job. Initially, it was quite challenging to manage family and work. I always wanted to help out my family in every possible way. Helping them financially with my earnings was a part of it. Working here, I have enrolled my son in an English medium school so that he gets a good education. My colleagues at work are no less than a family for me, they have supported me through thick and thin. My work life has made me confident and I feel extremely happy about it. I like to recycle waste through my collection. I use fabric cutting waste generated in garment production in my designs.
Savita
My daughter is my inspiration. She is currently pursuing her B.Sc. Computer science. I want to work hard to provide her with all the resources for her education. My interest lies in threadwork and stitching.
TEAM BEHIND THE SCENES
Priyanka Khandelwal
Founder & Director, Abira Creations Private Limited
An alumna of NIFT, Priyanka has always been driven by a vision of a world that transcends boundaries—of geography, caste, religion, and economic disparity. Her belief in equity and inclusion became the foundation of her journey in the impact sector.
In 2015, she founded Abira Creations Private Limited with a clear purpose: to build a nurturing ecosystem where marginalized women can learn, grow, and achieve financial independence.
In 2020, she launched WHE (Women Handmade Eco-friendly), a conscious brand that brings these values to life, creating a platform where women artisans craft sustainable, eco-friendly products while building dignified livelihoods.
Through WHE, every product is more than a handcrafted piece; it is a story of resilience, dignity, and empowerment. Under her leadership, Abira continues to create meaningful opportunities for women artisans, enabling them to transform their skills into sustainable livelihoods while preserving the essence of conscious craftsmanship.
"Life at Abira is an inspirational journey in and out. Dreaming and building Abira is a decision worth investing soul for!"
– Priyanka Khandelwal
TEAM WHE
It begins with a shared belief: that empowered women can reshape communities, economies, and futures. Guided by founder Priyanka Khandelwal, the WHE team is a close-knit collective working in harmony toward a bold vision, by 2030, to transform 3000 women into Abiras, individuals who are confident, self-reliant, and catalysts for change within their communities.
Together, this team forms the heartbeat of WHE, where purpose meets practice, and every effort, big or small, contributes to building a movement rooted in dignity, sustainability, and lasting impact.