A Mother’s Love. A Journey of Purpose. A Promise of Conscious Clothing.
1. The Inspiration Behind NakshGeeth
Every mother wants the best for her child. When we become mothers, we begin consciously selecting everything for our little ones, from the food they eat to the clothes they wear.
For me, this journey of conscious choices began with my son, Nakshith, lovingly called Naksh.
Whenever I needed to make a decision for my son, I would embark on a journey of research. My trusted friend, Google, was always my first stop. From there, I explored different perspectives, beginning with Wikipedia and extending to the experiences of everyday people, the knowledge of doctors and scientists, and the teachings of spiritual leaders such as Sadhguru.
Isn't that one of the most beautiful aspects of motherhood? Our love inspires us to learn, question, explore, and make informed decisions.
Through this process, I became increasingly conscious of the materials used in the clothes we wear. I began exploring the differences between natural and synthetic fibres, their properties, their environmental impact, and their suitability for everyday clothing.
I developed a strong preference for natural fibres such as cotton, linen, and silk because of their breathability, comfort, and feel against the skin. I wanted to encourage people to understand what they wear and make thoughtful choices for themselves and their families.
This desire to bring greater awareness to conscious clothing became the foundation of NakshGeeth.
Our vision is to create clothing with care, integrity, and a deep respect for the people who wear it and the world we share.
2. Returning to My Roots: A Mother’s Journey
When I became pregnant, I felt a profound desire to embrace a healthier, more meaningful way of life.
I wanted to breathe positivity, enjoy wholesome food prepared by my grandmother in a traditional mud pot, and experience the serenity of the waves along the coast of Sindhu Sagar near our grandmother's house. I wanted to chant more mantras, read the Bhagavad Gita, explore the life of Swami Vivekananda, and visit Sri Chakreshwari Temple in Kodi, Kundapura, whenever my heart desired. Our family serves as pujaris at the temple, performing its traditional poojas.
These desires arose naturally during my pregnancy. I felt drawn towards a life that allowed me to reconnect with my roots, spirituality, family, and inner self.
Without a second thought, I decided to leave my job in Bengaluru and return to my hometown of Udupi.
My decision was also shaped by a painful experience during my first pregnancy. At the ten-week scan, I learned that the baby had no heartbeat, and my doctor recommended an abortion. The experience left me devastated. I slipped into a deep depression and needed approximately six months to regain my emotional balance.
During that period, I suffered from severe, almost daily migraines and developed allergic rhinitis. I sought treatment through different medical systems. Although the treatments did not completely resolve my difficulties at the time, they helped me manage my symptoms.
When I later saw those two pink lines announcing my pregnancy with Naksh, I experienced an unexpected sense of relief and joy as those health difficulties subsided. We were overjoyed at the prospect of welcoming our little one.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the healthcare professionals who supported me through this journey.
Dr. Sowmya, a general medicine specialist at St. John's Hospital, Bengaluru, helped me manage my migraines.
Dr. Ramesh, an ENT specialist at St. John's Hospital, helped me understand the role that mindset and emotional well-being could play in managing my allergic rhinitis.
Dr. Azhar Shajahan at Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, Bengaluru, supported my recovery through Ayurvedic treatment and pranayama.
Dr. Sujith at Decision Homeopathy & Cancer Care Centre, Bengaluru, provided valuable support during my struggle with depression.
Dr. Shobha, my gynaecologist at St. John's Hospital, was always willing to answer my calls and ease my worries throughout pregnancy. Her reassuring presence made my journey to motherhood much less stressful.
Dr. Ranjith Shetty of Vinaya Hospital, Kundapura, helped me feel confident during pregnancy. His medical expertise and approachable nature gave me tremendous reassurance.
I remain deeply grateful to each of them for the care, guidance, and support they offered during such an important chapter of my life.
On February 13, 2020, we joyfully welcomed our son, Nakshith, into the world.
Motherhood became my greatest responsibility and my greatest joy. For the next two years, Naksh kept me occupied around the clock. I cherished those moments and wanted to be present for him whenever he needed me.
3. The Dream of Financial Independence
After celebrating Naksh's second birthday, I began thinking about my financial independence.
I had an engineering degree in biotechnology and had worked at a research institute on international clinical research projects. Returning to a conventional nine-to-five job, however, was not what I wanted at that stage of my life.
My son remained my highest priority. I wanted to be available whenever he needed me, and the only time I could consistently dedicate to something beyond his care was during his two-hour afternoon nap.
I began asking myself a question:
How could I build something of my own without compromising my responsibility as a mother?
At first, my thoughts revolved around inventing a product and securing a patent. Then, unexpectedly, memories from my primary school days came rushing back.
Those memories would change the direction of my life.
4. The Little Girl Who Dreamed of Becoming a Tailor
I studied at Irige Hallihole, a government Kannada-medium primary school. I was a bright student who often topped the class and occasionally took lessons when teachers were absent.
One day, a teacher who admired me asked the class, "What do you want to become in the future?"
My classmates gave the usual answers: teacher, police officer, engineer, and doctor.
When it was my turn, my teacher expected something extraordinary from me, perhaps researcher or scientist.
Instead, I answered, "Tailor."
My classmates laughed. My teacher remained silent.
The truth was that this dream had been inspired by my mother.
My mother was a naturally gifted tailor. She had never received formal training and had no Google, YouTube, or television to guide her. In fact, we did not even have electricity at home. Mobile phones and televisions were beyond our imagination.
Yet, with immense love and creativity, she made clothes for my sister and me from old dupattas belonging to her sisters or from her own sarees.
She did not own proper fabric-cutting scissors. Instead, she used my father's moustache scissors. She did not have a sewing machine either. Every garment was stitched by hand, using nothing more than a needle, thread, and determination.
Her inspiration came from her own childhood. During her school days, she had only two sets of clothes: one for school and another for home. After returning from school, she would change into her home clothes and wash her uniform. During the monsoon, the uniform sometimes remained wet the following morning, leaving her with no choice but to wear it again.
She did not want her children to experience the same hardship. Although she could not afford expensive clothes, she wanted us to have a variety of outfits. So, she created them herself.
As I watched her work, my fascination with tailoring grew.
When I was in the third standard, I decided to make a dress of my own. I spread an old dupatta on the floor, placed my petticoat on top of it, and carefully cut the fabric to match its shape. Then, using a needle and thread, I stitched the pieces together.
To make the dress special, I added a zari border from one of my mother's old sarees.
The result was a sleeveless, one-piece garment decorated with traditional zari work. I was so proud of it that I wore it to school underneath my uniform.
That little girl, who once answered "tailor" when asked about her future, had unknowingly planted a seed that would grow many years later.
5. From a Government School to the World of Clinical Research
By God's grace, my educational journey continued, and I eventually earned an engineering degree in biotechnology.
My journey took me from a modest village upbringing to the professional world of international clinical research. I was fortunate to contribute to projects that aimed to improve people's health and well-being.
One of the most meaningful chapters of my career was my work at St. John's Research Institute in Bengaluru, within the Division of Clinical Research and Training (DCRT).
I was part of the PROGRESS project, led by Dr. Dennis Xavier, which focused on managing lifestyle factors to reduce cardiovascular risk.
The project involved employees from two companies: a power-generation equipment manufacturer and an Indian multinational motorcycle manufacturer. Our team worked alongside company management to conduct the intervention study.
My responsibilities included interacting with enrolled employees, collecting data, and analysing changes in their lifestyles and their contribution to cardiovascular risk reduction.
I also took on the challenge of developing validation checks for an Electronic Data Capture tool, despite having no prior experience in that area. I learned the necessary logic, developed proficiency, and eventually extended my guidance to team members in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on data-management tasks.
This experience taught me the value of learning continuously, taking responsibility, and sharing knowledge with others.
I remain profoundly grateful to the DCRT team and everyone who helped shape my professional journey:
Dr. Dennis Xavier, for entrusting me with the opportunity to contribute to his project.
Dr. Deepak Kamath, whose guidance helped me become part of the DCRT team.
Ms. Freeda Xavier, for her invaluable mentorship.
Ms. Preeti Girish, whose unwavering support and care felt like that of a mother.
Ms. Susan Maria George, my first mentor at St. John's, who helped me recognise my potential.
Ms. Remya Sangeeth, my esteemed colleague in the PROGRESS study, whose guidance and support contributed significantly to my professional growth.
My time at St. John's Research Institute was deeply fulfilling. It strengthened my belief that knowledge becomes even more meaningful when it is used to improve lives.
6. My Parents: The Foundation of My Strength
My journey cannot be told without acknowledging the people who shaped me most: my parents.
I consider myself fortunate and blessed because the life I have today reflects their prayers, sacrifices, and the values they instilled in us.
My brother, Sandeep, my sister, Saritha, and I grew up learning the importance of loyalty, honesty, discipline, perseverance, and helping those in need.
Our childhood was far from easy.
We walked to our government primary school at Irige Hallihole, crossing hills and rivers, often barefoot. During the monsoon, we arrived at school soaked from head to toe, wearing damp uniforms.
Our summer holidays were spent working on our family's horticultural land, especially during the cashew season in February. Whether it rained or the sun blazed overhead, we helped our parents with the work that needed to be done.
We witnessed thunderstorms and heavy downpours without fear. Looking back, I am amazed by the resilience we carried within us. We felt as strong and capable as our parents because we had watched them overcome difficulties every day.
Those experiences continue to give me courage as I build my own business.
My Father's Unbreakable Spirit
My father is one of the most intelligent and curious people I know. He has always possessed an extraordinary thirst for knowledge, but poverty deprived him of the opportunity to pursue an education.
He had to leave school in the fifth standard.
One incident, in particular, deeply affected him. He used a single notebook for all his subjects because his family could not afford separate notebooks. When his English teacher instructed him to bring another notebook, he could not comply.
The following day, the teacher discovered that he was still using the same notebook. Without asking why, the teacher punished him by holding him down and twisting his ear.
My father cried and pleaded with his mother for a separate notebook. But she was helpless in the face of their poverty and eventually instructed him to leave school.
He obeyed reluctantly.
He began working on a landlord's agricultural land, but his love of learning never disappeared. He borrowed books from the landlord and read late into the night by the dim light of a kerosene lamp. He explored Indian religious and historical literature while continuing to work during the day to support his mother and sisters.
In those days, their labour was often exchanged not for money but for food and shelter.
Determined to escape this cycle of poverty, my father searched for a piece of land near a forest where he could build a home of his own.
His first house was made from coconut fronds, areca palm leaves, tree trunks, and grass. It represented hope, independence, and the possibility of a better future.
Tragically, influential people in the village set the house on fire while the family was away.
But my father refused to surrender.
He built his home again, this time using a sturdier mixture of mud, stones, and water for the walls, with tree trunks and vetiver grass for the roof. He also developed his own horticultural land and gradually established an identity for himself and his family.
He was determined that his children would not have to endure the same hardships.
Despite our family's financial struggles, he made sure that all three of us received a technical education. Today, we are proud engineers.
The People Who Helped Us Continue Our Education
Even after we completed pre-university college, our financial situation remained difficult. We could not afford the CET examination fees.
Our lecturers at Beary's Group of Institutions, Kodi, Kundapura, generously paid those fees for us.
I extend my sincere gratitude to Krishnamurthy Sir, Lakshmi Madam, Suma Madam, Sandeep Sir, and Seema Madam for their kindness and support.
Around this time, my father built a slightly larger house for our family. We still had no electricity and continued to rely on a kerosene lamp.
He had already exhausted much of his financial strength, yet he remained determined to support our dreams. With assistance from people who believed in us, he managed to secure an education loan for my brother.
My own desire to pursue engineering remained strong. I prayed every day, hoping that somehow, an opportunity would come my way.
And it did.
Just two days before my engineering counselling session in 2009, a relative from Bengaluru, who was himself an engineer, visited our hometown.
He asked my father about my brother's education. My father proudly explained that my brother had secured an engineering seat at SDM College.
When our relative asked about my plans, my father admitted that the family's financial situation had become too difficult to support another child that year. I would have to stay home for a year before pursuing further education.
Our relative questioned why I should be denied an engineering education despite having a good CET ranking. His conversation encouraged my uncle, who was in a better financial position, to step forward and help.
My uncle generously provided the funds required for my initial admission and also helped us secure an education loan for the remaining years.
That visit became a turning point in my life.
Even today, I wonder whether that relative arrived at precisely the right moment through some form of divine intervention.
I graduated in engineering in 2013.
On May 17, 2017, I married the same person who had entered my life and who had, in his own way, been connected to that miraculous turning point in 2009.
He continues to support my dreams with the same love and understanding.
My parents taught me that circumstances may limit our opportunities, but they need not determine our future. Their sacrifices remain the foundation of my determination to build something meaningful.
7. Returning to the Dream: Learning Tailoring
When the idea of building my own fashion brand began to take shape, I could not stop thinking about the little girl who had made a dress from an old dupatta.
I made a firm decision: I would learn tailoring.
I enrolled in a tailoring institute and began travelling to the city bus stop, enduring a half-hour journey to reach my classes. I would spend an hour learning before heading home, always trying to return before Naksh woke up from his afternoon nap.
My husband was working for a multinational company and had the opportunity to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. This arrangement allowed us to stay in our hometown. Whenever Naksh woke up before I returned, my husband took care of him.
I will always be grateful for his support.
As I walked towards the bus stop, dressed neatly and carrying myself with determination, someone seeing me might have imagined that I was heading to an elite institution for higher studies.
In reality, I was on my way to learn tailoring.
What made the journey challenging was encountering familiar faces every day.
People would ask, "Where are you going?"
I would reply, "I'm going to my tailoring class."
Their expressions often changed to surprise.
"Didn't you study engineering? Weren't you working in a good company?"
I would smile, explain that I was in a hurry, and continue towards my bus.
One day, a friend called while I was travelling. When he heard the background noise, he asked where I was going. I honestly told him that I had enrolled in a tailoring class.
His sarcastic response was, "Is this what passes for higher education in Udupi?"
I replied, "Don't judge anyone without understanding their life circumstances," and ended the call.
His words stayed with me, but they also made me reflect.
My parents had struggled enormously to give us an education. We had studied under a kerosene lamp while my mother woke up at 5:30 every morning to grind batter for neer dosa on a traditional grinding stone.
They had made countless sacrifices so that we could create better lives for ourselves.
I realised that I needed to create my own identity, not to satisfy other people's expectations, but to honour the sacrifices my parents had made and to pursue the life I believed in.
I began using my travel time productively. During the journey to and from my tailoring classes, I searched Google for information on starting a fashion brand in India, legal registration procedures, trademark registration, and intellectual property protection.
Those bus rides became my first lessons in entrepreneurship.
Google became my guide, helping me turn an idea into a plan.
I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Nagabushan Sir, an accomplished auditor who guided me through the complex legal registration process. His expertise and support helped me establish the foundation for my business.
8. The Birth of NakshGeeth: Clothing with a Conscience
As a mother, I carefully select everything for my son. I wanted to extend that same level of thoughtfulness and care to the people who would eventually wear my brand's clothing.
That was when the idea behind NakshGeeth became clear.
I wanted to build a brand that encouraged people to think more consciously about what they wear.
Clothing is more than fashion. It touches our skin, accompanies us through everyday life, and reflects our choices and values.
I became particularly interested in natural fibres such as cotton, linen, and silk because of their comfort, breathability, and natural characteristics. I wanted to understand fabrics better and help customers make informed choices about the materials in their wardrobes.
My goal was not simply to sell clothes. It was to create awareness, encourage thoughtful consumption, and offer garments that reflect care, quality, and responsibility.
I wanted NakshGeeth to stand for more than appearance.
I wanted it to represent a mother's love, a commitment to conscious choices, and a promise to treat customers with honesty.
NakshGeeth was born from the desire to bring together comfort, thoughtful craftsmanship, and a more conscious approach to clothing.
9. A Researcher's Perspective on Healthy Choices
My interest in informed decision-making was shaped by my professional background in clinical research.
At St. John's Research Institute, I experienced how evidence, careful observation, and well-designed studies could help us understand health and lifestyle choices.
Working on the PROGRESS project gave me an appreciation for the relationship between everyday habits and long-term well-being.
It also taught me to approach questions with curiosity, examine information critically, and remain open to learning.
I carry that approach into my entrepreneurial journey.
When it comes to clothing, I believe customers deserve clear information about the materials used in their garments. Natural and synthetic fibres have different characteristics, environmental considerations, care requirements, and applications.
Rather than encouraging people to make choices based on fear, I want NakshGeeth to inspire them to understand these differences and select clothing that aligns with their comfort, needs, and values.
For me, conscious clothing begins with knowledge.
It is about asking questions, understanding materials, appreciating craftsmanship, and making thoughtful decisions.
10. The People Who Helped Bring the Dream to Life
Once I had begun learning about the fashion industry and completed much of the initial groundwork for establishing the brand, I encountered a new challenge.
I lacked professional experience in fashion design and garment manufacturing.
I had the determination, the idea, and the willingness to learn, but I needed people who could help transform my vision into reality.
In a moment of inspiration, I reached out to my friend, Jatin Jos, and asked, "Would you be willing to design for my brand?"
Her enthusiastic support became an important step towards making NakshGeeth a reality.
The next question was where we could manufacture our garments.
How could we transform the designs on paper into beautifully finished clothing that met our expectations?
I searched extensively, but finding the right manufacturing partner proved difficult.
Then my husband remembered an experience at Mahalingeshwara Temple near our home.
During a five-day Punarprathistapana Mahotsav, he and many others had volunteered their services. Shivajianna, the owner of a clothing factory in Bengaluru, generously gifted high-quality white shirts to the volunteers.
His factory manufactures clothing for established brands in India and abroad.
I had the opportunity to speak with Shivajianna and was impressed by his approachable, down-to-earth personality. It felt as though Lord Shiva had sent someone to help us at exactly the right time.
A burden that had been weighing on my mind suddenly felt lighter.
I remember feeling so excited that it was almost as if NakshGeeth had already launched and become a globally recognised brand!
That moment strengthened my belief that the right people can make an extraordinary difference to a dream.
My heartfelt gratitude also goes to Umesh Tmath, whose encouragement has continually pushed me to grow. His emphasis on reading, acquiring knowledge, and developing ourselves has transformed the way I approach business and life.
He taught me that personal growth should not end with our own success. As we become better versions of ourselves, we should also help those around us grow.
I am grateful to everyone who has supported, encouraged, guided, or believed in this journey.
11. A Promise to Give Back
Since childhood, I have carried a deep desire to help people who are less fortunate.
Growing up in a family that experienced financial hardship made me understand how much a small act of kindness can change someone's life.
I have never forgotten the people who helped my family when we needed support most: the teachers who paid our examination fees, the relatives who helped me pursue engineering, and the mentors who guided me throughout my professional journey.
Their generosity taught me that opportunity is not created by individual effort alone. Sometimes, another person's kindness becomes the turning point that makes everything possible.
As I build NakshGeeth, I want to carry that spirit of giving forward.
I have decided to allocate a portion of the brand's profits to charitable causes, with the intention of supporting:
10% of profits towards education for underprivileged children.
5% of profits towards healthcare for children from economically disadvantaged families.
5% of profits towards Annadhana Seva at Kamalashile Temple, Hallihole.
These commitments reflect the values I inherited from my parents and the gratitude I feel towards everyone who has helped me along the way.
For me, success will not be measured only by the growth of my business. It will also be measured by the lives we can positively influence.
I want NakshGeeth to become a vehicle for meaningful change, helping children access education, supporting healthcare needs, and contributing to the tradition of feeding those in need.
12. Finding Purpose Through Spirituality
My entrepreneurial journey has also deepened my understanding of purpose.
Recently, I attended the Sudarshana Kriya Program conducted by Dinesh Kanchan at Mind Lead School in Saibarakatte, Udupi. The programme was inspired by the teachings of Ravishankar Guruji.
It helped me reconnect with my inner strength, develop a renewed sense of confidence, and reflect on how I could contribute more meaningfully to the world.
I am deeply grateful to Ravishankar Guruji for his worldwide movement towards a stress-free and violence-free society.
I also extend my gratitude to Dinesh Sir for his selfless volunteer service and to Mind Lead School for providing me with this opportunity.
These experiences have reinforced my belief that a meaningful life is not defined solely by professional achievements or financial success.
It is about discovering our potential, living according to our values, and using our abilities to uplift others.
As I move forward with NakshGeeth, I carry this understanding with me.
13. NakshGeeth: More Than a Clothing Brand
NakshGeeth began with a mother's love for her son, but it has grown into something much bigger.
It carries the memories of a little girl who dreamed of becoming a tailor, the creativity of a mother who stitched clothes by hand, the resilience of parents who overcame poverty, the lessons of a researcher who valued knowledge, and the determination of a woman who chose to create her own path.
It represents the courage to begin again, the humility to learn, and the gratitude to recognise the people who help us along the way.
I want NakshGeeth to be a brand that people can trust. A brand that values thoughtful material choices, quality craftsmanship, honest communication, and responsibility towards society.
Most importantly, I want it to remind people that the clothes we choose can reflect the values we believe in.
My journey is still unfolding, and I know there will be challenges ahead. But I move forward with faith in God, the strength of my upbringing, the support of my family, and the belief that every experience offers an opportunity to grow.
I hope NakshGeeth will inspire more people to choose consciously, live meaningfully, and give generously.
Because, ultimately, the true purpose of building something of our own is not merely to succeed.
It is to make a difference.
NakshGeeth — Woven with Love. Rooted in Values. Inspired by Purpose.