Single Women: Stories of Triumph

A 41-year-old woman is facing a challenging health condition known as psoriatic arthritis, a rare autoimmune disease that severely limits her mobility. Despite this, she has founded a clothing line which caters to the needs of people with various disabilities.

Soumita Basu, has been dealing with psoriatic arthritis, a condition characterized by inflamed and painful joints. This debilitating illness prompted her to create adaptive clothing options for individuals like herself who face challenges in finding suitable and stylish attire.

The inspiration behind clothing line stemmed from Soumita’s personal struggles with finding clothes that accommodated her condition. Often, she had to settle for loose and uncomfortable garments, which restricted her participation in social events. Her mother, Amita Roy Chowdhury Basu, who oversees operations witnessed Soumita’s clothing struggles firsthand.

Despite her health challenges, Soumita’s dedication to her clothing line has not gone unnoticed. She will be honored at an upcoming event alongside 11 other accomplished women, all of whom share the commonality of being single women, either by choice or circumstances.

Unfortunately, Soumita’s health prevents her from attending the event in person, so her parents will accept the award on her behalf. Soumita’s journey to founding the clothing line began with her education in sociology and journalism, followed by a master’s degree in development studies.

Despite lacking a background in fashion, Soumita’s passion for reading and research led her to establish her clothing brand primarily operates online, allowing Soumita to reach a broader audience despite her health limitations.

In response to the recognition she’s receiving, Soumita expressed pride in making a positive impact on people’s lives through her clothing line. Its adaptive designs have enabled individuals with disabilities to engage in activities they previously found challenging, such as attending school or visiting public places.

The Status Single Awards 2024, which Soumita will be a part of, celebrates the achievements of single women across various fields. Founded by Sreemoyee Piu Kundu, the awards aim to honor the struggles and triumphs of inspiring single women like Soumita and Dipta Ghosh, another awardee.

Dipta Ghosh, a former engineering student turned app-cab driver, has overcome numerous challenges, including a debilitating train accident that left her bedridden for almost a year. Despite facing taunts and challenges from society, Dipta remains determined to pursue her goals, including expanding her car fleet and hiring female drivers.

Both Soumita and Dipta exemplify resilience and determination in overcoming adversity and making significant contributions to their respective fields. Their stories serve as inspirations to others facing similar obstacles.

_{Repurposed article originally published in the Telegraph India}