Kolkata: Organic colours (aabir) made from natural materials, like flowers, have been known to be health-friendly compared to artificial colours, which can cause a lot of issues like rashes, itches and other harmful diseases of the skin and eyes.In view of this, the West Bengal Government’s Food Processing Industries and Horticulture Department has tied up with a self-help group (SHG) to sell this type of aabir from its Mayukh Bhawan headquarters.
Outlets would soon be opened at the City Centre 1 and 2 malls, and mobile outlets (that is, vans) would travel the streets of Rajarhat, New Town and Salt Lake.The 15 women of the SHG have been trained by Jadavpur University, which has done pioneering work in this field.The aabir has been branded ‘Krishnendu Bheshaj Aabir’ (‘Krishnendu Organic Colours’).
The colours are being made by processing the petals of primarily rose, flame of the forest (palash), butterfly pea (aparajita) and marigold (genda). Rose water is being used to provide the fragrance.Since the SHG is buying the flowers directly from flower cultivators, both cultivators as well as the women of the SHG are earning through the sale of the colours.(UNI)