Thampu provides free umbrellas to Attappady tribal students

Thampu, a national trust for tribal education, development and research, distributed free umbrellas to the children of three tribal schools in Attappady.

The ESAF Foundation sponsored the Karthumbi brand umbrellas made by tribal women under the banner of Thampu. ESAF Foundation cluster head P.K. Binil inaugurated the distribution at a function held at Government UP School, Kottathara, Attappady, on Monday.

K. Sakthivel presided over the function. Thampu governing body member K.A. Ramu, coordinator Binil Kumar and Manu Vijay spoke.

Thampu member Revathi Udayakumar explained the history and progress of Karthumbi umbrellas. It was in 2013 that Thampu started the production of Karthumbi umbrellas by employing tribal women following the reporting of dozens of infant deaths in Attappady.

Ms. Udayakumar pointed out that Thampu could provide ₹50 lakh by way of wages to tribal women through their bank accounts so far. The Karthumbi umbrella project had been featured as a model of women empowerment in the 1,111th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Bath.

Thampu president Rajendra Prasad said that 20,000 Karthumbi umbrellas made by the tribal women reached the markets this year. “We are planning to market honey, millets, coconut oil, curry powder and split pigeon peas under the banner of Thampu,” said Mr. Prasad.

He said Thampu would form a farmer producer company by involving the tribal farmers.