The Newz Radar
MANDI: Karan Singh, a visionary entrepreneur from non-descript Chaloh village in Kotli subdivision of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, has embarked on a pioneering campaign to blend tradition with innovation.
Karan’s latest endeavor aims to repurpose discarded temple flowers into eco-friendly products, marking a significant stride towards sustainable entrepreneurship and environmental conservation in the region.
Inspired by the sanctity of Mahashivratri, Karan announced his ambitious initiative during the auspicious occasion, igniting enthusiasm among locals and environmentalists alike. “Our pledge is to collect these flowers and create products that are completely natural and environment friendly,” he said, articulating his vision for a greener future.
The initiative underscores Karan’s unwavering commitment to leveraging indigenous resources for economic prosperity while preserving the natural beauty of Himachal Pradesh. By transforming temple waste into valuable commodities such as incense (dhoop) and other eco-friendly products, Karan’s venture not only promotes sustainability but also fosters community engagement and empowerment.
As Karan mobilises support from temple authorities and local communities, the initiative is gaining momentum, drawing attention to the potential of grassroots entrepreneurship in driving environmental stewardship and socio-economic development. With each flower collected and product created, Karan’s campaign serves as a testament to the transformative power of innovation and collaboration.
Karan is a budding entrepreneur who has gained recognition for launching the first startup in Himachal that is focused on utilising indigenous cow dung to produce various items. He has established a small-scale operation ‘Kamdhenu Panchdavya Udhyog’ at his residence.
Assisted by his wife Chanchal Thakur and a team of over a dozen women from self-help group Ekta, his local enterprise is creating job opportunities for unskilled women, thus fostering social and financial empowerment. Karan also provides training to local youths to encourage self-employment through entrepreneurship.
Karan’s initiative has garnered attention for promoting the use of cow dung over earthen soil or clay for crafting eco-friendly and biodegradable diyas. The raw materials for these diyas include cow dung powder and a premix powder acting as a binding agent, comprising tamarind seed and cluster bean seed powder, along with ‘multani mitti’.
