No matter how much you study, no matter how much you grow financially, if your mind is not satisfied, it lacks naturalness. There is no skill in doing the work..’ says Hema. They are making pads and diapers for children from reusable cloth which is environmentally friendly and are marketing them by providing employment to the women of the village.
Hema, who is based in Athimanjari Pate on the border of Chittoor, Tamil Nadu, introduced her products through her stall at the craft council’s showroom in Hyderabad. She, who looks very modest… worked as a software engineer in America and explained how she came back to her country and transformed herself into an environmentalist, and how she is partnering with some other women.
“We have been living in our village for twelve years. I aim to make eco-friendly products that are alternative to the things that are being used in rural and urban areas. After much thought I wanted to find a solution for women’s menstrual pads. As a part of that, in 2020, I am organizing all our products under the name ‘Konnai’ in small groups with the women and youth of the village and making them with them. I have planned to group some people to make reusable products useful for women and children and make them from their homes at a convenient time. It can also serve as a part-time employment for studying girls and boys.
Easy to use..
Besides being soft and durable, it can be soaked in water for two hours after use and dried in the sun. These can be reused. These are made by combining bamboo cotton with waterproof fabric. They are safe and convenient. Reuse avoids all the damage to the environment. The chemicals in disposable pads can also cause skin damage. We are making not only reusable cloth pads for women but diapers, mats, wipes for children, all eco friendly. They are soft. So it does not cause any harm to the skin. Small, medium.. prices vary depending on the size and design.
Depending on the orders, each earns up to Rs.5,000. It may not bring much income now. I am not thinking about income, revenue. First, everyone has to become environmentally friendly. I am trying my best for that.
Hometown…
We have been in America for twelve years. Dev and I worked as software engineers there. We have two children. At one stage we didn’t want to be there. We came to our hometown with the whole family. We bought seven acres of land here in the village. Most of it we grow ragu. We will take care of all that work.
Who likes to work…
In American culture, children are not pressured to study. Children are encouraged to discover what they like and what art they want to master. We also did not send children to schools and colleges. We have a group called Home Schooling. In that community, children study what they like. If they make it mandatory to read, they will never become proficient in what the mind does not like. We have thought of all this. Let the children do whatever they like. Both studied music. Our twenty-year-old son loves classical music. Our eight-year-old daughter Padde shows off her skills in wooden furniture. I focused on reusable napkins with the idea of doing something eco-friendly. I don’t think our policies will appeal to our other families. Because in this competitive world everyone is a runner. They cannot find what they like, what they can do, what they find satisfaction in. We are living in the shade of nature and doing our favorite activities in an environmentally friendly way. In order to take this idea of mine to the market, I am taking it to the people as much as possible, not only online but also offline, by putting it in various crafts fairs,’ explained Hema.
– Nirmala Reddy
Tags: Leaving job America making reusable napkins Ecofriendly Sustainable Sanitary Pad Rural Urban Areas Hema Inspirational Story
