Kerala University launches startup for tribal community in Vithura

Thiruvanthipuram, June 22 (KNN) The Kerala University (KU) has launched a startup for Manithookki Kani tribe members based in Vithura.

Named ‘‘KU Life’, the startup registered with the Kerala University Business Innovation and Incubation Centre was inaugurated by minister for welfare of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and backward classes K Radhakrishnan on Tuesday.

As per reports, the startup is a result of a 43-day training given to 28 Kani tribe members on bamboo handicraft creations by the department in collaboration with the Kerala Bamboo Mission.

Completed in three phases, the training enabled them to understand the process of making around 18 bamboo products, practice on their own and start making products by themselves. Each participant was also presented with a completion certificate at the end of the course.

Sandhya R S, project director and head of the department of sociology at KU said, “The idea behind this project is to make the tribal members self-reliant. Our role here is to assist them throughout the journey and help them identify their inner talents and potential. We will hand over the entire operation of the startup to the tribal members when we get completely convinced about their management skills.”

“We are hoping to soon launch a website which will let the public access our products from anywhere in the world. The products are currently available at the sociology department stall at the KU Researchers’ Fest,” she informed.

The department of sociology at KU is further planning to expand workshops to other tribal settlements beyond Manithookki.  (KNN Bureau)