Thiruvananthapuram:
"Ammoomas", as Malayalis fondly call their grandmothers, rolling out 'thiries' (thread wicks) to light lamps was once a never-miss sight in Hindu homes in Kerala.
Though this has become a scene of yore in times of nuclear families, the wicks, made by unknown grandmas, have become a symbol of struggle for self-reliance and self-esteem in Kerala.
'Ammooma thiri', a new brand of thread wicks made by women inmates living in old-age homes and orphanages, is now a popular product across the state.
But not many know, that these products are made by the elderly women living in charity homes rejected by their near and dear ones.
A charity trust at Kanjiramattom in Ernakulam district, initially launched the concept as a pastime for the inmates of old-age homes in the state some time ago.
But, it has now turned out to be a productive mean for many inmates to earn a small monthly income on their own, said Lakshmi Menon, who pioneered the concept.
"I grew up seeing my grandmother rolling out 'thiri' to light lamps (nilavilakku) every day, often in wee hours and during dusk."
"When she grew older, it had become a hobby for her to do work to kill time. I got the concept of 'ammooma thiri' from her," Lakshmi, a member of the trust, told PTI.
She said the 'job' brought immense changes in the life and outlook of many hapless women, forced to live like orphans in the twilight of their lives.
"When we started the project in an old-age home in Kochi on experimental basis, many inmates showed keen interest in the job. Because, all of them had done this in their life," Lakshmi, a designer by profession, said.
Now, more than 40 inmates of various old-age homes, above 70 years, are earning an average of Rs 2500-3000 a month through the venture.
As groups, many of them are earning up to Rs 13,000 a month, Lakshmi said.
Poor eye-sight and age-related ailments are no dampener to their zest to work of cutting threads with precision and rolling out in their palms to make 'thiries', which are used to light brass or bell metal 'nilavilakkus' (lamps) for prayers after sunset in Hindu homes.
The demand for 'ammooma thiries' has increased fast and many cultural and religious groups have placed orders within a short period after its launch.
"Besides the quality, the nobility of the concept has drawn many people to it. The hobby has become a serious affair after it has begun to fetch the inmates a small but worthy pocket money," she said.
The organisation provides raw materials for making wicks free of cost.
A packet of 30 wicks are sold for Rs five. The makers get Rs three for each sold packet. The foundation is now getting orders from the US and Middle East also.
Impressed by the venture, Malayalam actor Mohanlal recently endorsed the product by giving his voice for an advertisement of 'Ammooma thiri' without any remuneration. It has been uploaded in the micro-blogging sites, she said.
Though she was happy about the success of the venture, Lakshmi said she is disappointed a bit due to the negative attitude shown by the management of some of the temples.
"I approached the management of many temples with the offer of providing bulk supply of wicks at a very reasonable price. Also explained to them about the cause behind the initiative. But, they neglected the offer citing trivial reasons," she said.
After the success of 'Ammooma thiri', the trust forayed into a similar endeavor under the brand name 'Sneha thiri' (wicks of love and care) to find funds to help widows, orphans and handicapped persons.
The trust's eco-friendly pens, made by using re-cycled wastepaper, has also become an instant hit.
Though this has become a scene of yore in times of nuclear families, the wicks, made by unknown grandmas, have become a symbol of struggle for self-reliance and self-esteem in Kerala.
'Ammooma thiri', a new brand of thread wicks made by women inmates living in old-age homes and orphanages, is now a popular product across the state.
But not many know, that these products are made by the elderly women living in charity homes rejected by their near and dear ones.
A charity trust at Kanjiramattom in Ernakulam district, initially launched the concept as a pastime for the inmates of old-age homes in the state some time ago.
But, it has now turned out to be a productive mean for many inmates to earn a small monthly income on their own, said Lakshmi Menon, who pioneered the concept.
"I grew up seeing my grandmother rolling out 'thiri' to light lamps (nilavilakku) every day, often in wee hours and during dusk."
"When she grew older, it had become a hobby for her to do work to kill time. I got the concept of 'ammooma thiri' from her," Lakshmi, a member of the trust, told PTI.
She said the 'job' brought immense changes in the life and outlook of many hapless women, forced to live like orphans in the twilight of their lives.
"When we started the project in an old-age home in Kochi on experimental basis, many inmates showed keen interest in the job. Because, all of them had done this in their life," Lakshmi, a designer by profession, said.
Now, more than 40 inmates of various old-age homes, above 70 years, are earning an average of Rs 2500-3000 a month through the venture.
As groups, many of them are earning up to Rs 13,000 a month, Lakshmi said.
Poor eye-sight and age-related ailments are no dampener to their zest to work of cutting threads with precision and rolling out in their palms to make 'thiries', which are used to light brass or bell metal 'nilavilakkus' (lamps) for prayers after sunset in Hindu homes.
The demand for 'ammooma thiries' has increased fast and many cultural and religious groups have placed orders within a short period after its launch.
"Besides the quality, the nobility of the concept has drawn many people to it. The hobby has become a serious affair after it has begun to fetch the inmates a small but worthy pocket money," she said.
The organisation provides raw materials for making wicks free of cost.
A packet of 30 wicks are sold for Rs five. The makers get Rs three for each sold packet. The foundation is now getting orders from the US and Middle East also.
Impressed by the venture, Malayalam actor Mohanlal recently endorsed the product by giving his voice for an advertisement of 'Ammooma thiri' without any remuneration. It has been uploaded in the micro-blogging sites, she said.
Though she was happy about the success of the venture, Lakshmi said she is disappointed a bit due to the negative attitude shown by the management of some of the temples.
"I approached the management of many temples with the offer of providing bulk supply of wicks at a very reasonable price. Also explained to them about the cause behind the initiative. But, they neglected the offer citing trivial reasons," she said.
After the success of 'Ammooma thiri', the trust forayed into a similar endeavor under the brand name 'Sneha thiri' (wicks of love and care) to find funds to help widows, orphans and handicapped persons.
The trust's eco-friendly pens, made by using re-cycled wastepaper, has also become an instant hit.
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