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| Laju Cherian, Pappas Milk, Vilappilsala, Thiruvananthapuram |
As a pilot in Indian Air Force flying over the resplendent fields of Punjab, he had been fascinated by farming. And after discharge from the Air Force, Laju Cherian bought a piece of land near Thiruvananthapuram. With a single cow, he started his dairy farm.
Today, the farm at Vilappilsala has around 150 cows producing close to 1000 litres of milk daily. He sells the raw milk to few households and hotels under the brand name ‘Pappas’. And he has been twice decorated with the best dairy farmer award by the State.
Although he is no longer in Air Force, he still continues to be a pilot for a British aviation company. He has often ferried Mukesh Ambani and Rahul Gandhi in his plane. And he has good relationship with them too.
From the stratified atmosphere of high flying to come down to the level of manual labour in his farm, Laju has no hesitation. Along with the 30 odd workers at the farm, he is in the forefront of all activities.
The milk from the farm is distributed as such without adding any preservatives or separating anything by 10 o’clock in the morning.
He lives in the city with his wife, Thara, a yoga instructor and daughter Sruthi, a student of 8th standard. During school holidays, he reaches the farm with the whole family.
"About 30 persons find employment here, few families drink good milk, and there is fresh air in at least a little area", he sums up his achievement. He is planning to reduce his engagements in the sky and devote more time for the down-to-earth activities of the farm.
Courtesy:
Vanitha, September 1-17, 2010
Contributed by: Administrator
