Toy making from paper pulp empowers tribal women in Orissa

Koraput (Orissa), July 23 (ANI): Tribal women in Koraput district of Orissa are engaging in the art of making toys from paper pulp, which helps them to make a living.

Thanks to a self-help group that trained them in the art. Earlier, they used to relax at their homes after lunchtime.

Impressed by the financial independence that they can gain, tribal women started engaging in making toys.

"Tribal women have no work after lunch time. They used to take rest after lunchtime. It is great that they are now utilizing their time and earning some money in the process," said Ranjan Kumar, a social activist of a self-help group (SHG).

Tribals expressed happiness over the fact that they are now able to financially help their families. They plan to increase their productivity to increase their earnings.

"We have created birds, trees and other things from paper pulp. An artist taught us to make toys from paper pulp and now we are making toys ourselves. We plan to invest some money so that we can purchase more paper pulp to make more dolls," said Premika, a tribal women engaged in making toys.

The toys highlight the tribal art and culture. A lot of these dolls are sold in exhibitions and fairs. By Sharada Lahangir (ANI)