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| Lalitha Bai, ‘Mami’s Palada’, Kuvakkara Matom Street, Fort, Thiruvananthapuram |
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5 years ago, 30 women of Fort, Thiruvananthapuram, started a joint bank account in a cooperative bank with an initial deposit of Rs.300. It was the humble beginning of a self-help neighbourhood, which under the Kudumbasree Project has reaped success with their highly appreciated ‘palada’ that has found takers even in Gulf and Japan.
The Muncipal Corporation granted them an initial loan of Rs.10000, which was used by them to give loans to the needy women for marriages, treatment of kith and kin etc. In addition, small-scale business in manufacturing and marketing pickles, jam etc contributed to the repayment of the loan.
3 years later, when Kudumbasree Project came along, there were only 10 members left in the group. To them, the officials put forward the suggestion – why not try your hand at making ‘paladas’. They discussed under the leadership of Lalitha Bai alias Mami, and the product ‘Mami’s Palada’ was conceived.
From then it was a story of steady progress for the women of Kuvakkara Matom Street. The loan from Syndicate Bank was followed by 3 days training at Kudumbasree District Centre and they were off to a moderate start.
Their sweetest moment came during last year’s India International Trade Fair at New Delhi. There was a heavy rush at the Kerala stall to taste Mami’s payasam. And those who tasted it once did not go without purchasing at least one packet ‘ada’. From there, Mami’s Palada flew to Gulf and Japan even.
Today the Mami’s team is busy meeting the order for 2000 packets from Ernakulam and Malappuram. And thus do 10 women show how to stand on their own feet with income generated by their own effort.
Mami's team at work
Courtesy: Malayala Manorama, September 1, 2003
Contributed by: Administrator
