Niveditha Srinivasan concentrates on giving an innovative touch to the jhumka she designs. This time, she wants to give a glittering effect to a subtle-coloured pair of accessories. She embellishes them meticulously with sparkling white stones. Tabitha, who is equally adept at designing ear-hangings, assists her friend in crafting the pieces.
Pushpa Latha and Sharmila join hands with the duo, and together they quickly design 10 ear-hangings, all in different shapes and colour combinations. The hearing-impaired girls at Prajwal Vani Welfare Society set an example for others.
After a short-term course in designing accessories made by quilling, they are not only quick in coming up with their own creations but also making their presence felt in the market. “There is a surge in demand for these accessories, mainly because they are affordable and can be teamed with any attire,” says K. Sharmila, a trainee at the centre, through the sign language.
Tapping this opportunity, soon the team decided to strike a deal with their friends and neighbours.
Slowly, orders started flowing in from social networking sites. “Apart from Facebook account, they do business through WhatsApp as well. A couple of months ago, the orders were limited to friends and colleagues. Now, the reach is far better,” says K.V.L. Suchitra, founder-president of the society. At present, the girls are busy catering to Sravana masam demands.
“Recently, we got an order for 200 pairs of jhumkas, which will be offered as part of ‘vayanam’ (return-gift) to married women and girls during Sravana Sukravaram (Friday,” says Sharmila.
In a move to strengthen their presence in both the virtual and real market space, the group plans to launch mobile pouches and designer purses in future.
Hearing impaired girls find a market for their products, thanks to the short-term course offered by Prajwal Vani
Welfare Society
