With Love From India: Padma Yangchan and Jigmet Disket, Founders Of Namza

With Love For India

A winemaker who works with kiwi farmers in her region. A communications specialist who is creating empowering, feminist rag dolls. An adventure tour specialist who believes in local experiences. An entrepreneur who envisioned and launched an app to help everyone learn Indian languages. Another who brings traditional Maharashtrian fare to dining tables across the world. Our country is replete with visionaries who are working towards empowering local communities and artisans while educating the world about their skills and crafts. Made in India, for the world. In this special issue, we applaud these women who are putting India on the world map…

“Our key focus has always been the revival of our indigenous art and craft.”
– Padma Yangchan & Jigmet Disket
Founders of Namza

Blame it on Bollywood or the picturesque road promising adventure and the experience of a lifetime, but it’s difficult to find someone who doesn’t have Leh-Ladakh on their travel bucket list. But, in some ways, this region, whose history can be traced back to the 9th century, that has been part of the historic Silk Route, the hub of cultural exchange between the east and the west, and whose arts and crafts are as diverse as its rocky terrain and stretches of cold desert, has been reduced to just a travel destination. Padma Yangchan wants to change that. In 2016, she and her business partner Jigmet Disket founded Namza – a couture and restaurant brand from Leh. They have been working to build something that “represents their value and passion” ever since. Padma is also the recipient of the Nari Shakti Puruskar this year.

Excerpts from an interview:
“As young female entrepreneurs and ambassadors for India and Indian-made products, we feel it’s our responsibility to spread awareness in different parts of the world about the value of Make In India products. Considering that India is a melting pot of many diverse cultures with a rich history, the variety of locally-made products from different regions of the country is incomparable to that of any other country. Every region specialises in different styles of art and handicraft work, besides other products. As cultural ambassadors of our land, it is our duty to promote our locally-produced goods on a global level every chance we get.

“India has been the home of craftsmen and artisans down the ages. The unique craftsmanship and skills that have slowly been passed down generations make Indian products distinctive and timeless.

“We can encourage more people to invest in showcasing Indianness by spreading more awareness about the skills and craftsmanship of Indian artisans. Additionally, with the Make In India campaign, small manufacturers are gaining more attention from investors, which helps increase the brand value of Indian-made products.

“Investors will be attracted by the ease of doing business and access to the market in India. As India is currently a country of young individuals, we can also offer a more dynamic workforce.”

Article Credits: Femina