Cobbler who taught Rahul to stitch a slipper brings the Gandhis new shoes

"I will work on the polishing with you," LoP Rahul Gandhi is heard promising his 60-year-old guest Ramchet, a cobbler from Sultanpur, in an Instagram reel he shared on 18 February.

The Congress leader was speaking only in part of shoes. He was speaking, in fact, of the considerable skills that traditional Indian artisans already possess — that only need polishing and marketing.

Ramchet, who had a visit from Rahul to his little shop in July 2024, had spoken of the hard work that goes into his handmade shoes. He taught Rahul how to cut and sew the leather — and as a return gift, Rahul sent him a cutting and sewing machine.

Now, Ramchet came home to visit Rahul in turn, bringing his handmade shoes — of a newly created pattern — for Rahul, his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and their mother Sonia Gandhi. They were made using Rahul's gift.

After that first meeting and receiving his gift, Ramchet had been requesting another meeting with Rahul for a while. And, eight months later, there he was, meeting the Gandhi family with his own family on 13 February. (The LoP insisted on paying for their tickets from Sultanpur to Delhi and back, as well as arranging their meals and accommodation for the entire trip, an overwhelmed Ramchet told PTI.)

Arriving by car directly at Rahul Gandhi's residence, he found the family waiting. "Rahul Gandhi welcomed me with a hug and Priyanka Gandhi was also present. After some time, Sonia Gandhi joined us," he said.

As he chatted with the family for over an hour, Priyanka was heard speaking to Ramchet of how worldwide, the price of a handmade shoe surpasses anything made entirely by a machine.

Ramchet, in his turn, spoke of how the gift of a machine made the difference for him — his son and oldest grandson nodding beside him — and showed off the new design of slipper he had brought for her. Rahul asked how it was being received by locals and brought up the expansion of Ramchet's business to a second store since they last met.

Rahul had help and support to offer Ramchet’s son as well.

"He told my son that he should aim for progress. He offered to train him in Delhi to make high-quality shoes and slippers so he can create and send them abroad," Ramchet said.

The day they first met is etched sharply in his mind.

It was 26 July 2024.

"Rahul-ji had come to my shop while travelling to Lucknow. He even learned how to stitch shoes from me."

At the time, a lot of his business was the cheap work of quick repair.

Ramchet recalled that other Congress leaders had offered him large sums of money to buy the chappals that Rahul Gandhi had stitched and repaired under his guidance. However, Ramchet steadfastly refused to part with them.

"Later, [Rahul Gandhi] sent me a modern sewing machine and materials to make shoes and slippers," he said.

Expressing delight at having two shops now, Ramchet — who has been the focus of much attention since the visit, attributed much of his success to the encouragement and support he has received from the now-LoP.

In the video, Rahul is heard also speaking of how the cobbler community is not sufficiently respected in Indian society despite the importance of the work they do, with their skills and knowledge of a traditional craft.

With PTI inputs