KOCHI: Tribal women from Attapadi, who have never used an umbrella in their life, are all set to take the markets by storm this monsoon. Karthumbi, their brand of hand-made umbrellas, will not only protect the city residents from hostile weather conditions but also provide a means for them to earn a livelihood.
“We have never used an umbrella. Leaves became our shield against rain and sun,” recalls Lakshmi Unnikrishnan, one of the first from Dasannur, Attappadi to learn umbrella making. Their product, however, is in no way substandard.
Karthumbi has received an overwhelming support from well-wishers across the world since its inception in 2016. The dream project took off in 2016 with an initial investment of Rs one lakh from Thampu, a Tribal Voluntary Organisation, and Peace Collective, a social media group. They produced 1,000 umbrellas.
Today, around 120 women are engaged in producing Karthumbi Umbrellas. And they are earning Rs 500 to Rs 700 per day. The initiative, which received an investment of Rs 16.40 lakh from the Government Tribal Supply Fund (TSD), is planning to manufacture 15,000 Karthumbi umbrellas for the market this monsoon. Each umbrella costs Rs 350.
A ray of hope
Karthumbi umbrellas came as a boon to the women of Attappadi, who had to not only tackle poverty but also infant deaths. According to Lakshmi, though the government has sanctioned funds for their welfare it never reaches them. K A Ramu, who coordinates Karthumbi at Attapadi, agrees with Lakshmi.
“The government had sanctioned around Rs 512 crore for the welfare of the tribals,” he said.
It was in this scenario that Thampu decided to the teach adivasi women the art of making umbrellas.
Initially, a group of 40 was given training with the help of a Thrissur-based NGO Athijeevana Society. Now there are umbrella making centers in Kallamala, Pottikkallu, Nallashinka, Choriyannur and Nellippathy.
Recently, techies working at the major IT parks in the state joined hands to support the endeavour.
Thampu has already received 1,500 orders from Technopark, Thiruvananthaputam. Progressive Techies, an employees’ social wing at Infopark has started a campaign in support of Karthumbi. “It is our social responsibility to support such initiatives. The Infopark authorities are helping us to send personal e-mails to employees and we have received more than 400 orders,” says Mahin Sha, a lead campaigner at Infopark.
Plans are underway to produce a range of products under the brand name Karthumbi. This will generate more employment opportunities in the tribal regions of Attappadi.
“Before Karthumbi, the women here used to get work under the Rural Employment Guarantee Programme. But the employment was not frequent. Now they have a consistent income,” said Rajendra Prasad, president of Thampu.