Among the scattering of buildings that make the sprawling premise in Kerala's Kottayam, next to it is a corridor where three women are working at their sewing machines. They make elegant, comfortable dresses and functional sling and tote bags — all customised to order. Embroidery seems to be their specialty as is evident in the modest and dainty nightgowns put up for sale.
It could be a humble boutique running out of a home. Except, this is not just about any label or cloth. This is about sewing machines are no ordinary women either.
Next to the Pala-Vaikkom state highway announces the St Francis Mission Home. It is this premises, accessed by a steep, narrow lane, at Kuravilangad village which has housed Sister Anupama, Sr Mary Alphy and Sister Ancita for decades. For the last eight years, it is all that their world has become.
In 2018, Sr Rani lodged a rape complaint against the then Bishop of Jalandhar, Franco Mulakkall. Sr Anupama's home is affiliated to this congregation.
In 2022, a trial court acquitted Mulakkall on grounds that there was lack of proof and inconsistencies in the survivor's statements. Sr Rani filed an appeal in the Kerala High Court against the acquittal, which is awaiting a hearing.
"Many people think the case was over with the verdict. But this is not the place. The fight is not over. I don't want to hide anymore. I am more vocal than in these years, I stayed a victim. Now I am a survivor," says Sr Rani, insisting on being identified by her name.
Ostracised by their congregation for having raised the issue and paid the price of standing by Sr Rani — and left with no sustenance, the women decided to write a new chapter for themselves. In 2023, their clothing brand 'Stand By Me' was born.
On how the venture began, Sr Rani says one of their friends from Sisters in Solidarity — a loose collective of nuns, former nuns and supporters of the other victims of sexual violence that was formed in 2018, the year she began her fight — "They asked us if we needed help. Why don't you do some stitching and keep yourself engaged? It started as a distraction."
But soon, the so-called distraction took the shape of survival. "We had one sewing machine at first. Then some well-wishers brought us a couple more. We had to fend for ourselves. We had one sewing machine at first," Sr Rani says.
The brand developed as the sisters went along. "We just wanted to stitch something. Then customers gave us suggestions. Like someone said there is a demand for bag that she wanted us to stitch. We heard everyone out, all the customised orders — nighties, salwar kameez and bags which was custom-made."
In 2018 they were warned not to speak against a bishop. In 2023 they picked up a needle. 'Stand By Me' — named after Ben E King's anthem — is more than a label, it is defiance turned into livelihood. Acquitted in trial court, boycotted by congregation, denied the Rs 5,000 monthly sustenance, they now stitch 7-8 pieces a day, teamwork style: one cuts, another stitches, another embroiders. Sometimes pump fails, water runs out, but as Sr Rani says, "We just want to live, our heads held high."