KOORACHUNDU: A VILLAGE RESURRECTS COCONUT TO THE CENTRE OF ITS LIFE
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| Maximin Arakkal, Koorachundu, Balusseri, Kozhikkode |
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From
clenched fist slogan shouting to proactive action with the hands: Maximin
Arakkal realized this truth while participating in the all party
dharna against the import of palm oil which was breaking the back bone of
coconut cultivators of their village, Koorachundu, Balusseri,
Kozhikkode.
Like
a revelation the thought struck him that as long as they used palm oil at
home for cooking, their dharna against import of the same oil would be
ineffective.
He
put forward the idea of boycotting palm oil and encouraging coconut oil
for all their needs. The
priest of the local church, Fr.Augustine openly embraced this idea during
the Sunday prayers and soon a movement was born.
On
the next day, a 13-member unit of Farmers’ Council was formed with
Maximin as president to implement the boycott plan.
They
approached traders and restaurant owners of the village with the call to
replace palm oil with coconut oil. The response was overwhelming.
The traders agreed not to stock the item while hotel owners agreed
to use coconut oil for cooking.
A
tender coconut stall was opened in the market.
As the customers for coconut juice and tender coconut water
increased, branded colas started disappearing from the village.
Now
the farmers are able to get more money from their coconut cultivation.
Even the womenfolk of the village, who cook with coconut oil, are
happy. Say these enthusiastic supporters of the movement: “Earlier
if the husbands used to cast aspersions on the taste of the dishes, now
everyone is congratulating us for the improved taste of the dishes.
More than that it is healthier for the family.
Besides, it is gratifying that we too could participate in the
struggle by the villagers.”
Courtesy: Jolly Adimatra (text), P. Azeem (photo), Gruhalakshmi, December 2000.
Contributed by: Administrator
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