Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (MS)

Puttur, Apr 13: Coronavirus has changed the lifestyle of people. Many, who used to work in companies are engaged in self-employment. Similarly, a couple from the district of Dakshina Kannada have become famous because they quickly took to self-employment when they lost their jobs due to the pandemic.

The successful couple who have turned around their life by making handicrafts from coconuts shells, which are generally thrown after use, are Sachindra and Jayalaxmi, residents of Kukkaje in Ira village of the taluk.

Sachindra used to work as a mason before coronavirus. During coronavirus, he faced financial difficulties as he did not have work. Sachindra tried to manufacture and sell flower pots made of cement in order to earn a living. But that did not give much success. So they ventured into creating artistic items from coconut shells. First Jayalaxmi manufactured artistic things for her home from coconut shells. Later she came to know that there is demand for such handicraft items. So the couple decided to sell the same.

In the beginning, the work of cutting and shining the coconut shells was done by hand. Later, the couple took a Rs 75,000 Mandara Sanjivani loan from the government to buy the required machines. Today Jayalaxmi does most of the work through machines.

As Sachindra got injured while doing mason work he had to stay at home for many months. During that time he also helped Jayalaxmi and both manufactured artistic things from coconut shells.

The couple prepares different kinds of lamps, sanitiser bottle, jumbo ant etc. In addition, they have also prepared many items that are used in the garden. Hanging pots made of coconut shells have become very popular now. Raw material for their handicraft is collected from the farmers in their vicinity. Now the couple has started manufacturing hanging lights in order to keep the bulbs.

Art of making handicrafts from coconut shell, which was started by Sachindra and Jayalaxmi couple as an alternative for earning during the pandemic is slowly turning into an industry now. Though they follow the Atmanirbhar call given by PM Modi, they don't have a proper market as they do not know how to reach more customers. The government is giving priority to handicrafts and officers of the concerned department should encourage this couple.