What began as a simple idea — to give textile waste a second life — quickly evolved into something bigger than I had imagined. While working on Geometry, I became acutely aware of the fabric waste generated by the fashion industry. I saw an opportunity not just to repurpose fabric, but to repurpose it with purpose — and that’s how The GDS Initiative was born.

In collaboration with the Blind People’s Association, I launched a self-sustaining non-profit that merges sustainability, skill development, and social impact. We sourced 50+ kilos of surplus fabric and worked with 40+ differently abled artisans to create a line of handcrafted products — cushion covers, scarves, pouches — each item a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern upcycling.

We produced over 720 unique pieces and generated ₹2.35 lakh in revenue, with 100% of proceeds reinvested into artisan training and facility upgrades.

This wasn’t just a project — it was an education. I managed everything from product development and quality control to digital marketing and event planning. I visited the production units regularly, learned directly from the artisans, and helped fine-tune processes that made our work more scalable and inclusive. This resulted into an empowered community of differently abled artisans at BPA, who created some of the finest and most unique products.

The GDS Initiative taught me that design can empower, sustainability can include, and leadership is about lifting others as you grow.