The Golden fibre- Coir Toys
Coir which is also known as ‘Golden fiber’ comes from a Coconut tree. Coconut which holds a huge religious significance in certain societies of India, where it is used in many Hindu Rituals as a symbol of prosperity, a blessing of nature an auspicious object of a ceremony. Apart from religious significance they are known for their great versatility, as evidenced by many traditional uses, ranging from food, cosmetics to a various useful item of handicraft. Coconuts are commonly found on tropical trees in Kerala. In fact, even the name Kerala (Kerlam in Malayalam) is derived from this tree (“Kera” in Malayalam language means Coconut and “Alam” means Land, thus Keralam = Land of Coconut).
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The coconut palm has been eulogized as “Kalpavrikshas” wish-granting trees which fulfill the desires of people in initial stages of the worldly cycle as per Jain Cosmology. It is also known as Kalpavriksha as every part of it is useful. The coconut water inside the nut is a delicious drink. In dried form, it is called Copra and is used to manufacture oil. The coconut husk is called Coir, which is used to make rope. Coconut Leaves are used to make hats, fans, mats. Palm sugar is made from budding flower. The dried midrib is used to make boats.
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One of the earliest mentions of the coconut dates back to the “One Thousand and One Nights” story of Sinbad the Sailor. He is known to have bought and sold coconut during his fifth voyage. Its Malayalam and Tamil name “Thenga”, was used in the detailed description of coconut found in Itinerario by Ludovico di Varthema published in 1510.
Presently, India is the largest coir producer in the world accounting for more than 80 per cent of the total world production of coir fiber. Coir or coconut fiber which extracted from the husk of coconut create 100% natural and eco-friendly Coir products. The dying tradition of Coir has been used artistically to make Home Decoratives like wall hangings, key rings, Christmas hangings, pen stands, coconut-rich floor mats, doormats, brushes mattresses, and to make a wide range of eco-friendly toys. In Coir toys you can see Woven magnificence of coir products. This is a unique craft as produced only in Orissa and not coconut-rich states of India.
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Producer Initiative Story
Parida Family which situates in a small town of Chandhanpur, Puri in Orissa. About 50 years back Rama Parida an ordinary housewife took an initiative to promote this artwork of coir toys and started her own organization named as Subhadra Nari Coir Unit. This organization has won several Awards for their creative handicrafts. But, their achievement doesn’t end here. Women Empowered Initiative started by Parida Family. Currently employ about 50 girls and handicap women from their village and nearby villages, with the help of District Industry Centre and they run a skill development center for making coir toys in Chandpur Village, District Jalakadar, Orissa. This center helps them to learn skills by adroit professionals and bring forth an extensive range of Coir Toys.
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Coir Board – Head Office CCRI “Coir House”, M.G. Road, Kochi 682 016
Tel : +91-484-2351807/2351788/2351954
Fax : +91-484-2370034/2354397
E-mail:[email protected]
[email protected] Central Coir Research Institute (CCRI),
Kalavoor P.O., Alleppey Dist.,
Alleppey – 688 522, Kerala, India.
Tel : +91-477-2258094/2258480/2258415
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected] NCTDC CICT National Coir Training & Design Centre (NCTDC)
Kalavoor P.O., Alleppey Dist.,
Alleppey – 688 522, Kerala, India.Tel:+91-477-2258067
E-mail: [email protected] Central Institute of Coir Technology (CICT)
Peenya Industrial Area, Peenya,
Bangalore 560 058, India.
Tel /Fax : +91-80-8394875
e-mail : coirtechnology[at]gmail[dot]com CMS Hindustan Coir Office of the Coir Mark Scheme
Coir Board
Abeebel complex 1st Floor, Near Kallupalam,
CCSB Road,Alleppey-688 011
Kerala, India.
Tel /Fax : +91-477-2245325
e-mail : coirmarkscheme[at]yahoo[dot]com Hindustan Coir
Kalavoor P.O, Alleppey Dist.
Alleppey – 688 522, Kerala, India.
Tel : +91-477-2258339.
e-mail : hindcoir[at]gmail[dot]com
The Golden fibre- Coir Toys was originally published on NAZARIYA