The man was Prakash Dev, and the purse belonged to his wife, Vaishali Dev—the engineer, film producer, and provocateur who turned a simple gesture into a statement on gender equality. What some might have dismissed as a fleeting moment has now blossomed into a signature, a mission, and a movement.
At a recent wedding celebration, amidst the clinking glasses and philanthropic buzz, Prakash Dev was once again holding his wife’s purse. But this time, it wasn’t an impromptu experiment. It was a signature statement.
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“What started as a spontaneous act has evolved into a deeper dialogue for us,” Vaishali explains, radiating the same vivacious energy that captivated audiences last year. “When he carries my purse now, it’s not just a bag. It’s a symbol, not of weight, but of respect, of trust, of recognition of the full circle within me.”
That “full circle” is a concept Vaishali often returns to. For her, the gesture is a profound acknowledgment of the multifaceted nature of womanhood. “The circle of a woman includes creating, nurturing, and the power to transform,” she says. “Having him support me in even a symbolic way acknowledges that power. It’s a gesture that says, ‘I see your strength, and I want to support it.’”
This philosophy is now the bedrock of the Blume Foundation, which aims to empower women at all “ages, stages, and phases of life.” The foundation’s launch marks a pivotal transition for the Devs, turning their personal ethos into public action. The purse, once a conversation starter, is now the emblem of their shared mission.
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Vaishali describes the act with a poetic grace that feels both personal and universal. “In his hands, my purse is no burden—it is a quiet hymn of respect,” she shares. She even encapsulates the sentiment in a heartfelt Hindi-Urdu verse:
“Haathon mein uske mera purse, ek chhupa sa alam, Meri rachna, parwarish, aur pyaar ka hai yeh paigham.”
(Translation: In his hands, my purse, a hidden world, / It’s a message of my creativity, nurturing, and love.)
For the Devs, this statement is deeply intertwined with their role as parents. The gesture isn’t just for the public; it’s a lesson for their two daughters.
“He holds my purse, yet it bears more than burden—it carries respect for my strength, trust in my power, and the circle of our love,” Vaishali reflects. “Together, we have raised two daughters, delicate as petals, yet fierce as lions, weaving dreams with courage and hearts with compassion. In this quiet gesture rests the story of our family, the legacy of womanhood, and the unbroken circle of love, strength, and transformation.”
While Vaishali continues to conquer new worlds (from walking in New York Fashion Week to planning her own design showcase) it is this quiet, consistent act of partnership that remains her most potent message.
What began with a simple purse has now funded a foundation. The impromptu fashion statement in the mountains has become a promise fulfilled in a ballroom. For Vaishali Dev, it proves that the most powerful movements often begin with the smallest of gestures, held securely in the hands of a true partner.
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Vaishali says that gender equality isn’t merely about role reversal, though—instead, it’s about people recognizing each other as fundamentally equal human beings. “My husband holding my purse was seen by some as this taboo thing, but we didn’t do it just to get attention,” explains Dev, “Really, this was about challenging what people think and why and turning it into a moment to spark further conversations in the name of equality.”
Presented by: APG
