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Frills and flounces. Laces and sashes. Delicate smocks in the palest of pinks...there must be a rare mom in Chennai, who hasn't dressed her little princess in a "Mona Lisa" original! Meet the lady behind "Mona Lisa" - Ms. Aruna Mathani. Echoing Mona Lisa's half smile, her hazel eyes exude an undaunted spirit, even as she wheels herself in!

Born in 1950, Aruna is a thoroughbred Chennaite, with Church Park School and Stella Maris College behind her. A protected childhood, amidst a Sindhi business family with no worry or care, she plunged into marriage straight after her graduation in Economics and moved to Africa.

Strange are the ways of fate. In the first year of marriage, a car accident changed it all! At 22, she returned to Chennai, having lost the use of her legs and confined to the wheelchair, and a marriage that dissolved gradually.

It may have seemed like the end. But Aruna changed it to a new beginning. A strong family behind her, and dedicated doctors who inspired her, she took life in her stride, and started afresh. A helpful aunt initiated her into designing and crafting children's clothes. She worked out of home, with the help of 5 or 6 tailors. Helpful sisters sent her laces, ribbons and trimmings from the US. And "Mona Lisa" was born! One exhibition led to another and business grew steadily. With no formal training in the trade, Aruna relied strongly on her mother and her own instincts. She passionately designed clothes for little girls. At the time, she felt the "need" to do something, to overcome her misfortune, to get self-sufficient and regain her eroded self-confidence. Laughingly, she claims, "I never had time to mope. I was too young and my family never let me!"

15 years of children's clothes behind her, she learnt the tricks of the trade on the job. Her other interests include playing cards, meeting up with friends and of late, a leaning towards religion. Widely travelled, she animatedly says, "I have done everything but go to the moon!" Traveling took her on cruises, casinos, even across a rickety bridge in Rishikesh.... she's done it all!

Her greatest reward in life has been job satisfaction. It made her independent and helped her believe in herself. She describes herself, as a "nervous wreck", but finds religion a calming influence. This Diwali, she did something really unusual!

With the help of a few friends, she packed 1,700 packets of Diwali sweets, hired a van, and went to the Mental Hospital. Distributing them personally amongst the inmates, gave her a deep sense of satisfaction. Today she spends more time making clothes for the poor and distributing them free. She is strongly averse to 'cheque book' charity and wants to personally involve herself in social work. Today she has both, the means and the urge. Her advice to young entrepreneurs is simple: hard work and perseverance pays! She firmly believes, that there is nothing that cannot be done! 28 years of being confined to a wheelchair, and four surgeries behind her, Aruna is an achiever in every sense of the word! She's come a long way. Who says she cannot walk!

Aruna passed away suddenly on December 5 at her residence in Chennai. Apparently she was looking forward to the honour of being on Sitagita's Women Achievers Page. The staff at Sitagita condole her death.