Speaking to us over the cellphone from Tripura, Prasad Rao says, “The initiative is to help the tribal communities in Tripura use the locally-available resources to make value-added products to make them economically independent. After thorough learning and understanding of various types of bamboo of the northeast, I decided on a particular variety which is native to the region (I cannot give out the name of the bamboo as it is a trade secret). For the project, we trained ten master craftsmen who in turn trained 1000 other craftsmen for the design and the process. It took eight months for us to prepare a prototype, after which we started production.”
Better livelihood
Having spent shut to eight years in Tripura, Prasad wished to do one thing to enhance the financial sustenance and livelihood of the communities. Tripura is thought for its bamboo crafts; that’s as a result of the state grows 28 % of the nation’s (India) annual bamboo. “We only use locally-available material to make these bottles. I feel it is one of the biggest USPs of this product,” says Prasada Rao.
The bamboo acts as the encasement to an inside lining which might be both metal, copper or glass, relying on a buyer’s choice. The product would not use plastic. “Even the copper used is locally sourced. Drinking water from bamboo that is treated to last longer is not advisable. So it acts at the outer cover while the inner lining of the bottle that comes in contact with water is made of either copper, steel or glass,” informs Prasad. Prasad insists on these supplies for the lining as they forestall the fungus that generally develops on bamboo.
The leakproof bottles come in 4 sizes — 300ml, 500 ml, 750 ml and 1000 ml — and are priced between ₹700 and ₹1200, excluding tax and transport prices.
“We are also manufacturing thermos flasks which cost around ₹1300 for 750 ml. These products are all handcrafted and I am happy that they have become a source of income for the tribals who work on it,” provides Prasad.
All which means Prasad is a comfortable man and the workforce can’t take a break as cellphone requires enquiries maintain pouring in. He informs they acquired over one lakh orders in a day. “Apart from orders from all over India, especially Mumbai and Hyderabad, they received enquiry calls for bulk orders from the U.S. and Dubai.”
To discover out extra about the artisanal bamboo bottles or place orders name (+91) 9954926020 and (+91)7005984264.