Pabiben Rabari

Pabiben….The Brand that Makes Gujarat Proud

Kutch is an embodiment of Gujarat’s culture. The region mirrors the craft heritage and tradition of Gujarat.

Pabiben is a name synonymous with the all things that give Kutch its unique identity.  Hailing from the Rabari community, Pabiben, had a childhood laden with struggles and tribulations. She was born in the small village of Kukadsar, and given her family’s financial conditions, could not attend school. Being the eldest, she supported her widowed mother in raising looking after the household and her siblings. Her conditions, therefore, pushed her to start working from a very young age. She not only evolved into a skilled and confident artisan but also showcased how her entrepreneurial skills became a boon for many around her. Pabiben takes the credit of starting one of the first Women Artisan Enterprises -Pabiben.com.

She inspired many women to step forth, think big, take the unique craft of Kutch far and wide and attain financial independence. Pabiben.com is a successful women artisans’ enterprise which aspires to help women become independent and empowered on the basis of their artistic skills and competencies.

A master artisan, Pabiben never felt deterred by circumstances; she leveraged every opportunity to move ahead. She has popularised the craft on several elite platforms. Pabiben inspires every woman to rise above every hurdle and convert every adversity into an opportunity.

When social leaders banned on traditional embroidery, she invented a new art form called " Hari Jari " Pabiben mastered this art, and made a sample a shopping bag. It became an instant hit, and was christened the “Pabi Bag!” Very soon the ‘Pabi Bag’ created a buzz in the wider market, getting showcased even in Hollywood and Bollywood films.  Today Pabi Bag is style statement for many celebrities.

Today Pabiben employs more than 300 families in 10 different villages and runs a successful business from her village.

Widely travelled and recognised on several platforms, Pabiben is the epitome of determination, hard work and persistence.

Her accolades include the following:

1. Yashraj banner made a film ‘Sui Dhaga - Heroes Made in India’ on pabiben,

2. Pabiben made 4 logos for Bollywood film Sui dhaga.

3. Pabiben’s success story has been selected for a Digital India campaign ‘Pragati Yatra’, one-year achievement of Narendra Modi Government.

4. Facebook made a documentary film on Pabiben

5. Republic TV telecast a special episode “Facebook One India “on Pabiben.

6. DD national telecast special interview of Pabiben for womenia.

7. State Bank of India made an advertisement on Pabiben

8. Francklin Templeton made an advertisement on Pabiben

9. Reliance Jio and Cisco made 4G advertisements on Pabiben.

10. Pabiben was invited for the Facebook community boost conference.

11. Pabiben was invited for a lecture in Global Business Summit 2019

12. Pabiben was invited for a lecture in Economic Times Eminent Entrepreneurs Awards & Conference.

13. CNBC telecast a special programme ‘Changing India’ on Pabiben.

14. Pabiben was chosen as official brand ambassador for Election Commission of India.

15. Pabiben’s design had been selected for Hollywood Film “The Other End of Line “

16. Pabiben’s design had been selected for Bollywood Film “Luck by Chance“

17. Pabiben’s design had been used in television serial “Bhabhiji Ghar Par he “

18. Pabiben’s story has been published in a book ’Millionaire Housewives’ by Rinku Paul.

19. BBC News made special story on Pabiben

20. Sonalika Tractor published Pabiben’s story in a children’s book, ‘If I can dream it, I can do it ‘

21. Pabiben had been invited as a Karmaveer in ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’

22. Pabiben has featured in a book ‘50 Inspiring women of Gujarat’

23. Pabiben has featured in a book ‘Eves against the Odds: 25 Inspiring Stories on Women Entrepreneurs’

24. Pabiben has featured in India Today’s special edition “Tribal Tribute “

25. Pabiben was selected and has pitched for Shark Tank India Season 2

Awards

1. Swayam Sidhdha award by GCCI-Gujarat Chamber of commerce

2. Quality Mark Women Award for the best quality products

3. Best Rural Entrepreneur by Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India. By Hon.minister kalraj mishra

4. Jankidevi Bajaj Puraskar for Gandhian Rural Business Model by Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, mumbai

5. My FM Jiyo Dil se Award by FM radio

6. NABARD Excellence in Business Initiative Award

7. Prerna Award for Digital Innovation in rural India by Schneider Electric, France

8. Nari Shakti Award by Gujarat Government.

9. Mahila Shakti Award by ASSOCHAM

10. Mahila Udhyami Award by Hari Om Ashram

11. Women of the Year Award by FICCI 2019 by Susmita Sen

12. International Craft Award 2019 during India Craft week

13. Women’s Eminence Award by Mantavya News

14. Woman Achiever Award by Wings group

15. Garvi Gurjari Award by FICCI FLO

16. Gauravanta Gujarati Award

17. Guru Gaurav Award

18. Smriti chihna award by Hon.CM,Vijay Rupani,Gujarat Government.

19. Republic teblo represented by pabiben got first award by Gujarat Government 2020

20. Entrepreneur Award by Anarde Foundation

21. Citation by Gurjari, Government of Gujarat

22. Women Entrepreneurs Award by Swarrnim Startup University

23. HDFC special recognition award