Anima Sarma

Anima Sarma from Guwahati, Assam has been a prominent name in the field of successfully running and managing her printing press business, the Saraighat Graphic Arts in Bamunimaidam, Guwahati. Her husband Late Suren Sarmah, hailing from the famous Saraighat printing press family was one of those four brothers who were into the printing press business and established Simantika Printers in Chenikuthi, Guwahati.

Anima Sarma who completed her Master Degree in Political Science from the Gauhati University in 1976 was a homemaker at first after her marriage. After few years of marriages due to some internal conflict within the business administration, she had to get involved into the business along with her husband. Gradually the couple also extended their second press in the name of Saraighat Graphic Arts, which later was solely handled by her.

In due course of her involvement in the printing business, she connected back to many lost clients with her communication skills and could establish a permanent recurring mode of work for her business. With sheer determination and discipline she turned her business to be raising standards with good productivity and on time delivery.

Besides this, she also started her creative entrepreneur initiative, her boutique where she launched her self designed Mekhela Sador. Along with this, she is also an author and a poetess and her writings would get published in many local newspapers and magazines.

HOW COULD YOU MANAGE ALL OF THESE TOGETHER ALONG WITH YOUR FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES?

My core values of life are discipline and time. I was never prepared to get involved in running a business that too which I had no knowledge about. But due to some matters I had to intervene to stand by my husband’s side and support him. At first, it was difficult for me to understand the process and techniques of it, moreover the business was also losing its client base due to some loopholes, I alone would sit and write letters to them all to give us work and assured them with on time delivery and proper customer service. They like this professional approach mingled with personal request and somehow may they all trusted my honest effort of saving and guarding my business. It was more challenging because an entire set of workers and their families were dependent upon us. Gradually the lost clients returned with works and orders and the business could set a regular income for us all.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO LAUNCH YOUR BOUTIQUE? CREATIVITY REQUIRES TIME AND ENGAGEMENT, HOW YOU MANAGED IT ALL?

I have been always passionate about hand embroidery. I used to do it for my self and my daughter. Every Rongali Bihu and Durga Puja, I prepare a new set of designer wear frocks for her and sometimes a Mekhela Sador for myself. This passion kept on rolling in me for years. Even after coming from my business and cooking dinner and doing the household chores, I sit with 3 or 4 embroidery threads to complete a design. This may take from 9 to sometimes 15 months depending on the designs. But, I made it a ritual to finish those many thread every night to keep myself focused upon what I need to achieve and attain. Hence, household chores and other works could never hindered my creative passion. I did not consider managing my responsibilities as an extra advert. As I already mentioned, discipline and time are my core values and I truly believe that these two elements strengthen my abilities. Moreover, silence always curved my creative diligence which further inspires me to write.

WHAT CHALLENGES YOU FACED THE MOST IN EXECUTING YOUR BUSINESS THROUGHOUT?

I was not facing challenges on my part. But, some of the employees working in my husband’s place were constantly cheating him and when this came to light, my husband found it difficult to take any actions against them. Firstly, because they were from the same village and were known to him since long. To provide a livelihood for their stable life they were given employment. But they could not understand the gravity of this greatness. I strongly believe professionalism to be practiced when it comes to work, execution and finances. There remains no space for compassion and personal links. If we ponder upon this softness, then there is always a scope of getting hurt. And engaging family and friends should be very clear on papers. My husband’s soft heartedness and giving motivation to his own people have hurt him several times. And this became my biggest lesson for sustaining the business which I ran. Money is crucial for all no matter whatever societal levels they are in. If left loosen without monitoring, then there is high chance of it getting mutilated.

YOU HAVE BEEN A MOTHER OF TWO CHILDREN AND HAD A FRIENDLY HUSBAND. HOW WOULD DEFINE THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO YOUR GROWTH?

My husband Late Suren Sarmah was far ahead in thinking of his time. He was supportive in my creative endeavours too. It was him who arranged an embroidery machine for me to start my boutique business. He also took pride in me and my achievements. Had his own way of gifting me although few occasions but I appreciate it. Every person goes through his own struggle in life of establishing oneself and securing his family’s future. He tried his best, rest I joined him too. He was also hugely involved in developing our local area, from building the road, temple, helping someone in need with money even to start a business, etc. and was quite popular for such deeds in his locality. Thus, we witnessed a huge gathering of people who came from far and wide during his last ritual. After I lost him, I looked after the business until some years. Both my children were focused in their own works. My younger sister and brother were with us during their study time. Hence my children grew up with their support and love. Our home was filled with gardening, domestic animals like cows, goats, pigeons, dogs, chickens and nature, hence we had a beautiful living. My husband was very fond of all these and hence we had a countryside styled living in the midst of busy Guwahati city. Some years back, I also published my book in Assamese language ‘Chandahin Sur’.

YOU HAD DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES IN YOUR LIFE. HOW IS LIFE TREATING YOU NOW?

Don’t know what lies ahead. Two years back I lost my young son. He was very brilliant and intelligent. But maybe life had its own course of executions. I now live with my daughter-in-law who is very responsible for me and my needs. My daughter currently lives in New Delhi hence there always feels a long space within. But when we all meet either in Guwahati or in New Delhi, it's just like a time which I always want to get it framed. Life’s understanding and calculations sometimes may not work as per our need and expectations. However, we learn to dance onto its tune, even if the movements are strenuous and difficult. I heartily remember my University days, my old friends, my busyness at my works, etc. These phases keeps my mind active and running. I used to maintain journaling everyday until some months ago. Sometimes I open it to ponder upon those past chapters. Sometimes my lips automatically smiles and sometimes my eyes roll down tears. Recently, I have been shocked with things that turned out in the rarest of unexpected ways. But that is what life is all about.