Lakes, super seeds and Fulva

Dear Reader, 

While pursuing graduation and post-graduation, I consistently bunked classes to watch Bollywood movies. Delhi University’s North Campus offers many opportunities for these adventures and our favourite place was Alpana Cinema as my friend stayed in the adjacent building in Model Town. 

But youngsters today, instead of bunking classes like us, are focused on making a solid career while still in college. My colleague Riya spoke to four friends from Kerala, all 21 or 22 years of age. Sanu Muhammed, Irfan Safar, Theshreef Ali, and Shabas Ahamed have standardized and branded centuries-old Kozhikode Halwa through their food startup Fulva. 

Set up in 2023 with a Rs 1.2 lakh investment, it now also sells other snacks and ships to eight countries including the US, Canada and Germany. Their revenue stood at Rs68 lakh in the first eight months and it is already profitable! Do read this one!

From Coimbatore, my colleague Anu spoke to R Manikandan, who had to drop out of school after class 9 due to family circumstances. However, it did not deter him from working for society. During the severe drought in Tamil Nadu in 2017, he began cleaning and desilting the Perur Lake. In the first week, 50 volunteers joined him and the number went to 400 in the second week. The lake was full of water after 12 years in the following monsoon. 

The work continues and Manikandan’s NGO Kovai Kulangal Pathugappu Amaippu has revived 15 water bodies so far. It has increased the water storage capacity by 80%, raised the groundwater level and conserved biodiversity. We need more environment warriors like him.

We also did a web story on seed savers. They are architects, farmers, social workers and techies with a common passion - saving native seeds. These super seeds require less water, are naturally pest-resistant and can be used in the next season. 

Last week, I spoke to Manish Yadav, an MBA who was confined to home due to COVID lockdown before he could take up any job. Instead of waiting for life to get back to normal, he began cultivating mushrooms on a trial basis in a 15ft X 15 ft room in his old house.

Today, he sells 40,000 kg of mushroom annually produced in just a 1400 sq ft facility. He earns Rs5 lakh a month and also gives training in mushroom cultivation. He explained the economics of mushroom farming in detail, which I have captured in the story. 

Our Sunday feature is on Palitana – the world’s first vegetarian city. Yes! The sale and consumption of non-veg food is prohibited in Palitana in Bhavnagar. But how did the ban come about? You can read the story to know.

In the Money section, my colleague Karan wrote that the unprecedented volatility in the equity market in the last few days, with many stocks falling by 30-40%, offers a golden opportunity for long-term investors to pick quality stocks at low valuations. He has given five easy financial ratios to help you choose the best stocks.

Happy Reading!

Warmly,

Rashmi

Four Kerala friends take Kozhikode Halwa global; clock Rs 68 lakh revenues in 8 months

How this environmentalist revived 15 ponds and lakes in Coimbatore

This MBA mushroom farmer earns Rs5 lakh a month from just a 1400 sq ft unit

Five seed savers protecting plant biodiversity

Palitana: The world’s first vegetarian city