Vera Kumari Choudhury Lal

Pioneering Indian entrepreneur who revolutionized textile industry through women empowerment

Vera Kumari Choudhury Lal (1905-1992) was a visionary Indian entrepreneur who made groundbreaking contributions to the textile industry while championing women's rights. Born into a conservative family in Kolkata, she defied societal norms by establishing Vera Hedges - India's first women-only textile cooperative in 1932. This enterprise employed over 2,000 women at its peak, providing economic independence during British colonial rule.

Her innovative use of traditional handloom techniques combined with modern machinery created new market opportunities. Vera's 1947 book <《The Loom of Liberation》> became a seminal text in feminist economics. During India's independence movement, she organized textile strikes that influenced labor laws. Her work inspired the formation of the All India Women's Textile Workers' Union, still active today. Vera's legacy is preserved in the National Textile Museum's permanent exhibit Pioneers of Progress, showcasing her handloom innovations.