VISHVENDU JAIPURIAR
Hazaribag, Mar 3: Under the guidance of the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS), women of Peto village under Daru block of Hazaribagh district are being encouraged to make eco-friendly colours using fruits and flowers as an alternative to chemically made abir and gulal available in the market.
The colours are now available in Palash Mart on the first floor of the district collectorate and other points in town after deputy commissioner Nancy Sahay and deputy Development commissioner Prerna Dikshit launched the colours on Thursday.
Giving details, one of the women said, “Herbal gulal is prepared using locally available spinach, Palash flower, marigold flower, rose flower, beet, jasmine oil, arrowroot, sandalwood and multani mitti.” She said that this gulal is completely organic and chemical free which does not harm the skin and eyes of the body. Also, the beauty products used in it like Jasmine oil, sandalwood and multani mitti are beneficial for the skin, she added.
Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society’s district programme manager Shanti Mardi said that these women at first prepare a mixture by boiling different types of flowers, leaves and fruits in hot water and grinding them in a mixer. The mixture is then mixed with arrowroot flour before leaving it to dry. After grinding, herbal gulal is prepared by mixing sandalwood, nicil powder and a little natural perfume in it. After the preparation of gulal, it is packaged in attractive packets and sent for sale. The price of a packet of herbal gulal weighing 150 grams has been fixed at Rs 90. Orders are also taken for purchase in lots as well.
Rakhi Devi, president of Rural Service Center Daru, says that abir gulal manufactured by them under the Palash brand is being made available in the market for the last four years.
Deputy commissioner Nancy Sahay said, “Palash abir and gulal are made from natural items. Demand is now coming from other districts of the state as well.” Sahay further said this abir and gulal work has provided employment to women who are earning to become economically independent.
