Ruma Devi Biography In English– With The Use Of Her Handicraft Abilities And Perseverance, Ruma Devi Of The Barmer District Of Rajasthan, India, Not Only Transformed Her Life But Also Set An Example For Society By Empowering Thousands Of Women To Become Self-Sufficient. In Addition To Giving The Art Of Barmer Recognition On A Global Scale, Ruma Devi Gave Over 40,000 Women Job Opportunities By Fusing Traditional Handicraft With Contemporary Fashion. Her Story Serves As An Inspirational Example Of Perseverance, Bravery, And Success. We Will Discuss Ruma Devi’s Life, Career, And Accomplishments In This Article.
Ruma Devi’s Early Life And Struggles
Ruma Devi Was Born On November 16, 1988, Into A Middle-Class Jat Family In Rawatsar Village, Barmer District, Rajasthan. Imarti Devi Was Her Mother, And Khetaram Was Her Father. Ruma Devi’s Father Remarried After She Lost Her Mother When She Was Just Four Years Old. Ruma Devi Was Then Sent To Her Uncle And Aunt, Where She Endured Hardships And Deprivation During Her Early Years. Ruma Devi Had To Bring Water On A Bullock Cart From Ten Kilometers Away Because There Was A Severe Water Shortage In Barmer At The Time.
Due To Societal Stereotypes And Financial Limitations, Her Education Was Also Restricted To The Eighth Grade. Ruma Devi Married Tikuram, Who Worked At A Drug Rehabilitation Center In Jodhpur, When She Was Seventeen Years Old. Shortly After Getting Married, Ruma Devi Gave Birth To Her First Son, But He Passed Away Within 48 Hours Because Of A Lack Of Proper Medical Facilities And Financial Limitations. Although This Event Was The Most Tragic Turning Point In Her Life, It Was Also The One That Gave Ruma Devi The Strength To Act.
Ruma Devi’s Private Life
Ruma Devi Lives A Modest Life With Her Family And Husband Tikuram. Her Success Was Largely Due To Her Husband’s Unwavering Support At Every Turn. Ruma Devi Continues To Embrace Her Rajasthani Culture And Attire With Pride.
Despite Being Raised In Poverty, Ruma Devi Is A Strong Woman Who Supported Her Dreams. She Gave Thousands Of Women Economic And Social Independence In Addition To Bringing The Barmer Trade To The Attention Of The World. Ruma Devi’s Story Serves As Motivation For Anyone Who Believes That A Lack Of Resources Or Education Can Stand In Their Way. Her Diligence, Bravery, And Commitment Demonstrated That Nothing Is Impossible For Someone Who Truly Dedicates Themselves To Their Work.
The Predilection For Handicrafts By Ruma Devi
During Her Early Years, Ruma Devi Learned How To Sew And Embroider From Her Grandmother. For Her, This Ability Evolved From A Pastime To A Way To Give Her Life A New Purpose. She Improved This Ability In Her In-Laws’ Home In Mangala Ki Beri Village Of Barmer After Getting Married. Ruma Devi, Who Was Struggling Financially, Made The Decision To Use Her Skill To Better Not Just Her Own Life But Also The Lives Of Other Women.
In 2006, She Organized Ten Women From Her In-Laws’ Home And Founded A Self-Help Group (SHG). Each Woman Contributed Rs 100, Which She Used To Purchase Thread, Cloth, Old Sewing Machines, And Other Supplies. This Little Group Began Producing Handmade Items Such As Bags And Cushion Covers. Ruma Devi Persevered In The Face Of Numerous Obstacles At First, Including Lack Of Access To Markets And Social Opposition.
The Rural Development And Awareness Institute’s Affiliation With Ruma Devi
The Goal Of This Institute Was To Support Women’s Self-Employment And Empowerment. The Institute’s Founder, Vikram Singh, Supported Ruma Devi After Seeing Her Talent And Passion. Her Group Received Training, Marketing Skills, And Raw Materials From The Institute.
Ruma Devi Was Named This Institute’s President In 2010. The Group Reached 75 Villages In Barmer, Jaisalmer, And Bikaner Under Her Direction. Women Were Taught Patchwork, Embroidery, Kantha Stitching, And Other Handicraft Techniques By Ruma Devi. Ruma Devi Dreamed Of Taking Her Group To International Platforms During This Time.
Recognition Of Ruma Devi In International Forums
She Took Part In Her First Exhibition At Delhi’s Rafi Marg In 2010, When Her Goods Received Great Praise. Her Art Gained Widespread Recognition In 2016 When Her First Fashion Show Was Held During Rajasthan Heritage Week.
Fashion Weeks In London, Germany, Singapore, Colombo, Thailand, And Sri Lanka Featured The Products Of Ruma Devi’s Group. Her Designs Combined Modern Fashion With Rajasthani Culture. Her Items, Including Bags, Kurtas, Sarees, And Bed Linens, Became Highly Sought-After By Overseas Customers. Additionally, Ruma Devi Began Selling Her Goods Online Via Her Website, Shop.Directcreate.Com.
She Gained National Recognition In 2015 When Her Handcrafted Clothing Was Displayed At Lakme Fashion Week. In An Interview, Ruma Devi Stated, “I Will Always Be In Love With My Traditional Attire And Barber.” I Am The Person I Am Now Because Of Its Uniqueness.
The Role Of Ruma Devi In Women’s Empowerment
The Most Significant Contribution Of Ruma Devi Is The Empowerment Of Almost 40,000 Women. Women Are Trained In Handicrafts, Sewing, Design Development, And Financial Literacy At Her Centers, Which She Established In 75 Villages In Barmer, Jaisalmer, And Bikaner. Through Her Self-Help Groups, Women Have Gained Social Respect In Addition To Economic Independence.
The English-Language Biography Of Ruma Devi
Men Who Did Not Want Their Wives Or Sisters To Work Outside The Home Initially Opposed Her. However, Ruma Devi’s Bravery And The Popularity Of Her Goods Gradually Gained The Public’s Trust. Her Group’s Women Now Make Between Rs 3,000 And Rs 10,000 A Month, Which Has Improved Their Families’ Financial Situation.
Additionally, Ruma Devi Established The Ruma Devi Foundation, Which Offers Gifted Kids Scholarships And Awards. Fifty Bright Young People Are Recognized In The Arts, Sports, And Education Sectors Under Her Akshara Yojana.
Ruma Devi Was Honored And Given Awards.
For Her Outstanding Contributions, Ruma Devi Has Received Numerous National And International Honors. The Following Are The Major Awards:
- President Ram Nath Kovind Presented The Highest Civilian Honor Bestowed Upon Women In India, The Nari Shakti Puraskar 2018.
- For Her Handicraft Designs, She Was Named The 2019 Designer Of The Year.
- The Sri Lankan Government Grants The Shilpa Abhimani Award To Encourage Handicrafts.
- He Was Given The Suffolk County Executive Award In Recognition Of His Accomplishments In The United States. Kaun Banega Crorepati 2019: In The Karamveer Episode, Ruma Devi Wins Rs 12.5 Lakh.
- Harvard University Lecturer: Asked To Participate On A Panel At The 17th All India Conference In 2020.
- In Addition, Ruma Devi Has Been Named Rajivika And Tribes India’s Brand Ambassador. She Also Took Part In Other TV Shows And Indian Idol (2021).
The Impact And Inspiration Of Ruma Devi
Ruma Devi’s Story Is Not Merely One Person’s Triumph; It Is The Triumph Of Thousands Of Women Who She Empowered To Become Self-Sufficient. The Bollywood Movie “Sui Dhaaga,” Which Tells The Tale Of An Average Person Who Succeeds Via Handicrafts, Is Compared To Her Life.
According To Ruma Devi, Everyone Faces Challenges In Life, But Everyone Can Achieve Their Goals If They Have The Courage And Talent. She Talked About Her Experiences Both In India And Outside, Including At Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phule University And Harvard University.
Ruma Devi’s Biography In English

Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Ruma Devi |
Born | 16 November 1988, Rawatsar, Barmer, Rajasthan (Instagram) |
Education | School dropout (left after 8th grade) |
Early Life | Lost mother young; learned embroidery from grandmother; married at 17; first child died shortly after birth |
Career Start | Founded a self-help group (2006) with 10 village women; pooled ₹100 each to buy sewing machine |
Organization | Joined and became President of Gramin Vikas Evam Chetna Sansthan (GVCS) by 2010 |
Impact | Trained and empowered 20,000–50,000+ rural women across ~75 villages in Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer |
Products | Traditional embroidery, applique, patchwork—bags, cushions, apparel, home furnishings; showcased at national & global platforms |
Major Awards | Nari Shakti Puraskar (2018/2019) presented by President Rajnath Kovind |
Other Recognitions | Designer of the Year (2019 – TFI); Panelist at Harvard India Conference 2020; “Karamveer” on Kaun Banega Crorepati; honorary doctorate |
Foundation & Vision | Leads Ruma Devi Foundation & GVCS; promotes rural women’s livelihoods, education, health, digital literacy, menstrual hygiene, and cultural initiatives |