If there’s one thing that truly defines Indian creativity, it’s the art of jugaad, the ability to find clever, low-cost solutions using whatever is available. From turning old clothes into cleaning rags to reusing glass bottles as flower vases, Indians have always had a knack for giving everyday items a second life. But one woman has taken this tradition of resourcefulness to a whole new level, leaving the Internet both amused and impressed.
In a viral video circulating on social media, a woman was seen shopping for vegetables at a local market. What caught everyone’s attention were not the vegetables she was buying but the bag she carried — a Tote made entirely from a pair of men’s underwear. The woman had ingeniously sealed the front button area, stitched straps onto the waistband, and turned it into a perfectly functional and surprisingly stylish grocery bag.
The shopkeeper in the video didn’t seem fazed at all, calmly placing the vegetables into her unique creation. But online, the clip became an instant sensation. Viewers couldn’t stop laughing or admiring her bold and sustainable choice. The post was shared with the caption “Indian women day by day”, alongside a funny graph showing a rising trend, perhaps hinting at the growing level of creativity among Indian women.
Here is the post:
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Reactions poured in from all corners of the Internet. Some users couldn’t help but salute her inventive spirit, calling her a true example of sustainability. Others filled the comments with jokes and memes. One person wrote that women can do anything and this video proved it. Another admired her approach, simply calling it “recycling at its best”.
Someone humorously imagined her husband at home searching for his missing underwear, while another joked about selling the bag in America for fifty dollars. A few even compared her to Monisha from the iconic TV sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, famous for her thriftiness and creative hacks.
Amid the humour, many also recognised the larger message behind the laughter, the importance of reusing and recycling in everyday life. In an age where fast fashion and plastic waste dominate, this woman’s lighthearted yet practical jugaad stood out as a reminder that sustainability doesn’t always have to be complicated.
Sometimes, all it takes is imagination and maybe a little bit of courage to turn something ordinary into something extraordinary.
