Into The World of Pickles Through ‘Prakrity’
Traditional homemade pickles- a story on the plate! No Indian meal is complete without pickles. Some homemade delicious pickles by the side of your plate is a common scene in the dining table. Pickles recipes- generation after generation have been preserved and every Indian home have their own stories behind this. ‘Prakrity Food Products’ is a story similar to this which is on their way to fill the journey of Indian pickles with newness. ‘Prakrity’ is a small home grown business of homemade pickles and snacks serving their customers since 2007 with delicious pickles and traditional snack items. It is an establishment by Mrs. Dipali Bhattacharrya and her daughter Suditree.
The journey of struggle and hope
The whole journey started when Mrs. Bhattacharyya was selected for a training session at Kochi, Kerala from Coconut Development Board for her various achievements in the world of food. After the training she was offered the post of Master trainer for coconut convenience food at Coconut Development Board regional office at Guwahati, Assam. Since then she has been giving training to many self help groups and individuals from across north east India. On a conversation with Mrs. Bhattacharyya she said, she actually started a food van long back in the year 2002. It was like a dream project with lots of good responses from her customers and blessings from all. But unfortunately in the year 2003, she lost her husband, who had a heart attack and that was a massive backlog in her business. Her daughter was just 10 years old at that time. She struggled through all the hurdles in life along with her daughter and finally in the year 2006 she got the opportunity to go to Kerala. She started her business of processed food in the year 2007 and was running the business since then almost alone but now her daughter, after her graduation have joined her business and trying to expand it more. Mrs. Bhattacharyya said she is happy that her daughter has been involved in her business now and she believes her dreams through her small business will now be flying!
On-going and future endeavours
As a part of future plans ‘Prakrity Food Products’ has thought for shipping their products all over India and to abroad as well gradually. They also have availed their products in an e-commerce platform from where people can buy homemade pickles online. Along with traditional homemade pickles ‘Prakrity’ has also introduced some non-veg pickles in their menu and also some unique and healthy pickles, jam, snacks etc with the most original recipe (like raw turmeric pickle, fenugreek seeds pickle, coconut jam, toast pitha (baked sweet snack) and more) with various herbs and other ingredients.
‘Prakrity’ sales their products at the local market and they have an outlet at their manufacturing unit premises itself. As a part of MSME, NERAMAC, Coconut Development Board, SIDBI and other state government departments they have attended few exhibitions, have sent their products to various exhibitions in different parts of India and want to count more in this regard.
Mrs. Bhattacharrya added being a single parent it was never easy for her to manage all the things alone- she had to do all the household stuff, take care of her daughter, her in-laws and then go for product preparation, packaging, labelling and everything. But at the end of the day it was a satisfaction for her that she is capable to earn something of her own. “I don’t know much about profit making, I just love cooking, do food experiments and the smile of my customers after they taste my food is the biggest thing for me’- said Mrs. Bhattacharyya.