How a men's self-help group made Kasaragod bloom this Onam | Onmanorama Specials

For Onam, they decided to grow their own flowers and ended up making an entire village bloom. In Kasaragod's Ravaneshwaram village, 11 men from different walks of life came together to cultivate marigolds on a one-acre plot behind their local school.

A painter, civil contractor, tailor, masons, government employees, expatriates and others formed a men's self-help group just six months ago. Their Onam project began with around Rs 30,000, 1,700 saplings and plenty of time spent before and after their regular jobs. Two months later, the farm is bursting with yellow and orange marigolds.

The group is harvesting up to 100 kg a day and selling the flowers at Rs 250 a kilogram, much below the prevailing market rate. And their Onam spirit doesn't end with the flowers. They have already made jackfruit chips, sold mundus, organised local trips and are planning more ventures together. This Onam, these 11 men are not just growing flowers. They are growing a little community spirit of their own.