How this 89-year-old fueled her passion for making potli bags with her own online venture
No matter how old you are, it’s never too late to follow your passion, and 89-year-old Latika Chakravorty is proving that age is just a number by setting an example of pursuing her passion for making potli (bundle) bags.
A new entrant in the digital world, she has her own website, 'Latika’s Bags', for the last three months. The website has already got orders from Germany, New Zealand and Oman. Sometimes, the volume of orders that come in are large and she isn’t sure whether she can keep up with the demand. The unique design of Latika’s potli bags is one of the reasons people are buying them in large numbers. The price range of the bags available online varies from Rs 500 to Rs 1,500.
Latika was born in Dhurbi, Assam and finished her schooling in the city. After the completion of her studies, she tied the knot with Krishna Lal Chakravorty, an officer in Survey of India. Her husband’s job required travelling to different states and Latika got to explore new places as well. Their extensive travels inspired Latika to take to sewing, as it showcased different textures of cloth from different states. Sewing was Latika’s stress buster, as she would sew and stitch clothes for her child. As her kid grew up, she started making dolls. It was that moment she realised that she has a flair for sewing.
After her husband passed away, Latika moved in with her son, who was commissioned as a captain in the Indian Navy. Staying at home at the time when her son was on duty, she pursued her interest in sewing with more time and dedication, reports Daily hunt.
A few years ago, Latika started making small potli bags. What makes her bags unique is that she uses old discarded sarees and kurtas. It turns out to be a good accessory to go with ethnic wear. She usually gives those bags to her friends and family and, till date, she has made around 300 bags. The online venture is Latika’s grandson Joy Chakravorty’s idea, who saw the uniqueness and creativity in the design of her bags. He lives in Germany and frequently visits his parents. Without wasting any time, he created the website called Latika’s Bags.
In an interview with ScoopWhoop about how she motivates herself and maintains the zeal to work, she says, "I have had a very disciplined life throughout. It keeps me healthy and peaceful. I believe in early to bed and early to rise".
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