WOMAN & HONEY

The Oxford English dictionary defines “empowerment” as to make someone stronger and more confident especially in controlling their lives and claiming their rights. Let’s take the opportunity to celebrate the strength and poise of the contemporary Indian woman this week.

HONEY & MONEY: Meet the 39 year old “Bee keeper Josephine”

At 39, Josephine from Kondayampatti Madurai makes 1 lakh per month from her beekeeping business. You may successfully catch one of her bees but it is difficult to catch up with her as she is busy maintaining her bee colonies and promoting her beekeeping business.

She started the business in the year 2006 with a view to earn at-least Rs2000/ per month. Today she earns Rs 1, 00, 000 per month even during rainy seasons.

Initially she set up 62 boxes each containing a bee colony in her father’s 100 acre organic farm in the drought prone Sivaganga district in Tamil Nadu. Initial setbacks like bees deserting her colonies and disease striking them did not deter her passion for bee keeping. The turning point was the 10 lakh loan from Canara bank. Today her shop Praba House of Honey sells 30 varieties of honey under the brand name Vibis Natural honey. Her honey is 100% organic. Many tribal women have been trained by her and earn well after the training. The double tragedy of losing her husband in 2012 & her daughter to cancer in 2009 has not stopped her from continuing the business and also help others learn bee-keeping and earn money.

The demand for honey is high and this year her business is expected to cross 1crore mark in turnover because of her big order from the government of Tamil Nadu. Truly an empowered woman indeed!

NOW TO SOME HEALTH BENEFITS OF HONEY

• Reduces risk of cancer as it has antioxidants & flavonoids

• All honey is anti-fungal & anti-bacterial

• Increases energy and boosts stamina

• Reduces ulcers and gastro intestinal disorders

• Reduces cough and induces good sleep