Home-grown products find more takers in expo

Thiruvananthapuram: Products made of home-grown ingredients rich in medicinal values are finding good takers at the ongoing Swadeshi fest being held at Thycaud Gandhi Bhavan here.
Among the products on display include ‘Pulinjikka cholestron’, which is good for controlling cholesterol and diabetes; ‘Jathikkatone’ made of the outer layer of nutmeg for curing stomach problems; jackfruit products like peda and squash with immunity strengthening properties.
“All the products are made by people who have received training classes for the same. Organic ingredients were hand-picked for making these and the products have also undergone mandatory quality checks,” says director of Gandhi Centre for Rural Development Jacob Pulikkan.
Ingredients targeting specific diseases are the key attraction of the products sold here. Kanthari, known for its diabetes-fighting properties, are available in the form of drinks mixed with gooseberry, raw mango, etc.
Triphala mix for acidity issues, njerinjil (puncture vine) powder for urinary and kidney diseases, and natural fairness oil for face pigmentation issues are also available here.
The fest also has an array of household products for daily use including squashes made of hibiscus, naruneendi (sarsaparilla), jamun, aloevera; variety of pickles, chutney and curry powders, home-grown matta rice, organic green tea, wild honey, soaps made of pure glycerin, coconut oil and other essential oils, dishwashing liquid and cleaning lotions.
Red sandalwood and kasturi manjal (wild turmeric), two common ingredients for natural skincare treatments, are also available at the fest.
A collective initiative of Kerala Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi, Gandhi Centre for Rural Development and Swadeshi Trust, the Swadeshi products’ making classes and exhibition are part of the 75-day-long Gandhi fest.
While the exhibition will conclude on August 31, the product-making classes will be till September 3.