G. Sreemathi, founder of Krishikala with a slew of handicraft articles made of gourd.
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Krishikala, a social enterprise based in Mysuru and focussed on agri-art, has won an award at the national level in recognition of its efforts to preserve bottle gourd varieties that are on the verge of extinction.
Krishikala is an initiative of Sahaja Samrudha which works in the field of conservation of traditional crop varieties, and the former is reckoned to be India’s first initiative with focus on agri-art.
A release said it was bestowed with Triveni Award by the M3M Foundation at a ceremony held in New Delhi recently and recognised Krishikala’s efforts in reviving bottle gourd diversity, promoting gourd art, and empowering rural women through sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The Triveni Award and the M3M Foundation is a platform where Samaaj (Society), Sarkaar (Government), and Bazaar (Market) converge to drive transformative change, the release said.
The award not only acknowledges the hard work of social enterprises but also provides vital financial support to help scale up their impact and ensure long-term sustainability.
For this year’s award, Krishikala was selected from 222 applicants and 60 organisations that were shortlisted for their contribution. After the evaluation process, Krishikala was one of the 10 organisations invited to present their initiatives and it emerged as one of the three winners receiving a grant of ₹7 lakh.
G. Sreemathi, founder of Krishikala, said the award strengthens the organisation’s commitment to support rural artisans and to preserve agriculture-based art forms.
“Together, we are building a brighter future for farmers and communities, ensuring the survival of traditional crafts and sustainable livelihoods,” she added.
The enterprise creates a wide range of eco-friendly products from bottle gourds, including vases, bowls, kitchen and office containers, lampshades, lanterns, wall décor, children’s dolls, and seed jewellery.
Mr. Sreemathi said Krishikala’s work exemplifies how innovation, sustainability, and social empowerment can come together to create a positive impact, making it a shining example of responsible entrepreneurship.
Published – December 28, 2024 08:17 pm IST
