Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Kanpur Mother-Daughter Duo Helps Women Earn Through Handmade Crafts
Archana and her daughter Ridhima started Kala Ki Dor in Kanpur.
They help women make things like crochet flowers, cards and keychains.
Some women already knew these crafts, while others learned through training.
The women can work from home and choose how much work they do.
Kala Ki Dor brings them materials and collects the finished products.
The women are paid for the things they make.
They can earn between Rs 5,000 and Rs 15,000 a month, and sometimes more.
The founders say the work can help women earn money and feel more confident.
Archana Gupta and her daughter Ridhima run Kala Ki Dor, a handmade-craft initiative in Kanpur.
Launched formally in 2024, the initiative works with more than 30 women, including homemakers and widows.
Women make items such as crochet flowers, cards, embroidered pieces and keychains, with materials delivered to their homes.
Depending on their work and output, participating women earn Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000 a month, sometimes more.
The initiative offers flexible work and training, and says earnings go directly to the women artisans.
- Who
- Archana Gupta, Ridhima Gupta and more than 30 women artisans.
- What
- Kala Ki Dor provides training and flexible paid work making handmade crafts.
- When
- The initiative formally began in 2024.
- Where
- Kanpur, India, and surrounding communities.
- Why
- Ridhima wanted to create an opportunity for women to earn income using creative skills without leaving their household responsibilities.
- Initiative
- Kala Ki Dor
- Founders
- Ridhima Gupta and her mother, Archana Gupta
- Formal start
- 2024
- Artisans
- More than 30 women
- Reported monthly earnings
- Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000, sometimes more
- Products
- Crochet flowers and bouquets, handmade cards, embroidered pieces and keychains
- Work arrangement
- Flexible hours, with work possible from home; materials are delivered and finished products picked up