Originally from Pakistan’s Sindh, Sarla Ahuja was always a force to be reckoned with. Her family moved to India’s Rajasthan during the Partition in 1947. Despite the limited resources and opportunities, Sarla was determined to make something of herself.

Married at a young age, she always wanted to work and build something of her own that would positively impact the lives of people in her community and beyond. She began working for a small garment factory in Delhi. This was her first experience in the industry that would become her passion and ultimately lead her to her founding role in business. To manage household responsibilities, she started working from home and eventually started a humble production setup in her home in Delhi.

In 1974, she founded Shahi Exports Private Limited, which has since grown into one of the largest garment manufacturers in the world. Despite the challenges she faced in the early years, navigating the complexities of international trade and managing a growing workforce, she remained steadfast in her commitment to her vision. She began by hiring local women to work in the factory, providing them with fair wages, safe working conditions, and opportunities for advancement. This sentiment of putting her employees' needs first became the foundation and driving force of Shahi’s business journey.

As the company grew, so did its reputation for excellence. Shahi Exports India became known for its commitment to ethical manufacturing practices, and Sarla quickly gained recognition as a trailblazer in the industry.

Though the company started as a small textile manufacturer, under her leadership, it quickly grew into one of the largest apparel exporters in India. Today, Shahi Exports India is a global supplier with over 115,000 employees, 70,000 of whom are women, and 50+ factories across eight states. Under its social wing, Shahi has helped improve the lives of countless people across communities by facilitating education, skilling, healthcare, and other essential services.

One of Sarla’s most significant contributions to the industry was her emphasis on social responsibility and sustainability. She recognized the importance of treating employees fairly and minimizing the company's environmental impact. Since 2008, Shahi has been the running title holder for the 'Highest Global Exports Award (Gold Trophy)' by Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) every year.

Sarla's legacy is one of resilience, determination, and compassion. She never forgot where she came from or the struggles she had overcome to get where she was, and never lost sight of the importance of giving back. With her contributing influence, Shahi piloted Gap Inc. Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement program in 2007, which is a holistic soft-skills program that imparts time management, leadership, financial literacy, emotional intelligence, and other vital skills to propel growth. The 70-hour training program measurably increased the self-esteem and self-efficacy of the trainees both inside the factory and at home. In 2020, this program was integrated under the DDUGKY flagship program to be scaled to train young adults to gain the necessary skills for employability. Since 2007, Shahi has trained over 70,000 women at Gap Inc. and intends to train 90,000 women by 2024.

Sarla Ahuja's story inspires aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide, especially women, who may face even greater challenges in breaking through cultural and societal barriers.

In a letter to Indian women published in Financial Express, she reflects on her life and career, offering wisdom and encouragement to the next generation of women leaders. She writes, "Work. It’s your right. You’re free. Don’t be afraid to voice your opinion. Even the might of all the reasons not to do so should never douse your spirit. Have faith.”

Shahi’s Leadership in Empowering Women

Shahi employs more than 70,000 talented and capable women across its factories. Over almost 50 years, Shahi has developed numerous programs to support female workers, co- creating and implementing new and advanced programming with partners, on issues ranging from empowerment to health and leadership. It is also increasingly looking at processes and systems that can deliver greater gender equality at every level of the business. Shahi has been establishing training centers across the country to provide access to free training on sewing skills, after which trainees are guaranteed employment at Shahi factories. Through this, it hopes to generate jobs for rural populations by increasing female labor force participation to drive the founder's vision. So far, Shahi has trained over 44,000 women who are now equipped to sustain a livelihood for themselves and their families.

The garment industry employs a majority-female workforce. However, many are hesitant to take on leadership positions. Shahi recognises the need to build a conducive space for women to take on the additional responsibility that comes with occupying leadership positions. The GAP Inc. P.A.C.E. program has encouraged women to find their passion and confidence to lead and take on more responsibility by equipping them with the tools to advance their personal and professional skills. Shahi extended capsule versions of the GAP Inc. P.A.C.E. program to crucial influencers in program participants’ lives, including their male co-workers, supervisors, and family members.

Further programs like the Captain Program were also undertaken to increase women in leadership roles at factory levels. This led to the share of women in supervisory positions at Shahi rising to 46%.

Visit www.shahi.co.in/blogs/category/workerwelfare to know more about Shahi’s work in empowering women.

Visit www.shahi.co.in to learn more about Shahi Exports.