Women of Palash group making herbal gulal from flowers & other natural things, Gulal is ensuring economic self-reliance of rural women

Ranchi: Women of Peto village under Daru block of Hazaribagh district are making herbal gulal using natural colors by using Natural fruits and flowers in its preparations. For example, herbal gulal is prepared using spinach, palash flower, marigold flower, rose flower, beet, jasmine oil, arrowroot, sandalwood and multani mitti.

This gulal is completely organic and chemical-free, which does not harm the skin and eyes of the body. Also, the beauty products used in it like Jasmine oil, sandalwood, multani mitti, etc are beneficial for the skin. It is available in Palash Mart of JSLPS and prepared by women group in the form of Herbal Gulal. Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society’s District Program Manager Shanti Mardi told that the women of the group first prepare a mixture by boiling different types of flowers, leaves and fruits in hot water and grinding them in a mixer.

Then mixing it in arrowroot flour, kneads it well and then spreads it and dries it. After this it is grounded well. After this, herbal gulal is being prepared by mixing sandalwood, nicil powder and a little natural perfume in it. After preparation of gulal, it is packaged in attractive packets and sent for sale at Palash Mart, a purchase center established at different places of JSLPS. 

The price of a packet of herbal gulal weighing 150 grams has been fixed at Rs 90. Orders are also taken at these purchase centers for purchase in lots. Rakhi Devi, president of Gramin Seva Kendra Daru, says that apart from natural products, basil and lemon grass oil are also used in the manufacture of herbal colours.

Abir Gulal manufactured by us under the Palash brand is being made available in the market for the last four years, which people are very fond of. Apart from the festival, many types of products are processed and made available in the market in the remaining months of the year. Due to which women are getting economic strength along with employment for earning a living.

Appreciating the effort of the women’s group, Deputy Commissioner Nancy Sahay said that herbal gulal is completely made from fruits, flowers etc and chemical-free products obtained from nature.

The demand for this natural gulal has started coming from the state level as well, this year the product is being prepared by engaged women on a large scale. Through this many women have started getting economic prosperity along with employment.