BHUBANESWAR: A new brand of chocolates `Choc- OLS’ is set to make waves among the discerning chocolate lovers in the Capital. A brand that is special not solely for the quality and the flavour but more for the hands that give shape to it.
The chocolates are being made by a group of differently abled children of the Open Learning System (OLS) organisation and provided with a marketing platform by a team of students of the Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB).
The chocolates are now being marketed among the top corporates like Tata Teleservices, Vodafone, Dhamra Port Company Limited and Aircel, while commercial sale is slowly making a start through select outlets like Xtacy eating joint and Q9 gift shop.
The chocolates are being prepared by around 10 children, suffering from spasticity. They not only suffer from the condition but also have been abandoned by their parents. The children have been trained in chocolate-making and can churn out 10 kg a day.
Though they have been making chocolates for quite some time now, they had not found the marketing base for their items. Under the social initiative of XIMB, the team Reach Out of the institute took the task upon itself. “We approached corporate organisations and tried to convince them on the cause and the product. The products were given to some and gained instant appreciation. The demand has been climbing since,” said Asit Agarwal of team Reach Out.
Sales have picked up significantly and the main objective of providing sustainable activity to the differently- abled sections is being fulfilled, he said adding that the proceeds would be used for welfare of the children like getting them wheelchairs and other basic necessities.