KOCHI:A team of five women are painting the town... not red, but any colour you want. ‘Nirakootu’, the group of homemakers, have a happy story to tell that breaks stereotypes and has turned out a successful venture.Two years ago, Kudumbashree started a pilot project using women to paint houses in Ernakulam district; a few women volunteered. Berger Paints came forward and set up a training centre to give theory and practical training for six months.
The five members - Mini P M, Prabha Ayyappan, Sajeena Hamsa, Safiya Ashraf and Sandhya Binu - who finished the ‘course’ turned professional and have now painted more than 130 houses and seven flats. They even paint tall buildings using harnesses.Mini, the president of Nirakootu said initially, they faced hiccups from family and friends as painting is generally stereotyped as a man’s job.
“We too had inhibitions, but Berger Paints and Kudumbashree supported us fully, for which we are grateful,” she said.Mini said after the training they went to work for low wages along with male workers and understood the process in depth. As time passed, their income started increasing and today they earn Rs 800 per day. Mini said their work includes polishing, interior and exterior painting and texture work. Only on the rare occasion do they rope in a male colleague to help with something they cannot do.
“We are happy we have overcome gender stereotypes and found success in this work. Now we visit the site to understand the place and work atmosphere,” said Mini.With the maiden project in Ernakulam hitting the right note, the administration is reportedly planning to start a new unit and extend the project to other districts too.