"When we make plates and bowls using Mahul leaves, we realise the bounties of benevolent Nature. When our dona-pattals sell good, our faith in the merciful Nature increases manifold. These words of wisdom come from 41-year old Murala Bai of Bhuria village in Sajatola Gram Panchayat in Anuppur district.

Smt. Murala Bai is an active member of Durga Aajeevika Group, which is commercially manufacturing dona-pattals. The Durga Aajeevika Group has recently taken up dona-pattals making as a micro economic activity. Though its members have been making dona-pattal for generations as a source of livelihoods. The dona-pattal- making machine has been provided to the Durga Aajeevika Group only three months back. Smt. Munni Bai, who heads the group informed that "we have been making dona-pattals for generations. Till now we were manually doing it. Now we use machine. This has improved quality of our product and also increased sale in the market. When asked about how all this started, she informed that frequent meetings of Gram Sabha made it possible. Giving more details she informed that "regular meetings of Gram Sabha had discussions on multiple livelihoods issues and possible activities to address such issues. We also shared our views and future plans that a little help could change our lives. Later our proposal was cleared and we got money from the Village Fund. Today we have a big supply order. Thus our business is rolling."

The market is flooded with plastic and paper made disposable items, then how your dona-pattals would survive? A smart reply came from Smt. Kalli Bai, who is secretary of the Group. She logically said that "the paper made dona-pattals are not fit for the serving oily food stuff. Plastic made plates are kept in stock for days and develop cracks. It is therefore our dona-pattals are preferably used in marriage parties banquets and ceremonial feasts in many communities. The dona-pattals are disposables because they mingle with the Nature, whence them came, she says in local dialect.

Munni Bai informed that the machine has made our job easy and we can produce dona-pattals in good volume with quality finishing. Manually, it was difficult to give shape as joints were many. Machine cuts them finely in round shape.

According to PTF coordinator Jalsar cluster Sanjay Chaurasia every member of the group prepares at least 1000 pattals every day after finishing domestic works. One thousand pattals fetch Rs. 300. Bijuri is the nearest market. Each member earns Rs. 50 per day after reducing all expenses. Bijuri is the easily approachable market The region has coal mines. The mine workers settled in the region celebrate all festive occasions and cultural activities go on round the year. Other markets Bohera bandh, Kothi, Manendragarh, Kotma, Anuppur also have good demand. "We have made a beginning. The financial help, which came through Gram Sabha has to be repaid. If we continue to get orders, we would install one more machine and enhance business. Though, Project's help would be crucial, says Ram Bai, another active member of the group. Buddan Bai informs that many of the group members were farm labourers. She informs that 'we all used to work as farm labourers and used to make dona-pattals in free time. Every member holds at least one acre land. We grow paddy and also earn a little as farm labourer working in the fields of big farmers. I also get some non-farm jobs on daily wage basis in Bijuri market. Now there is a constant demand for supply and we do not have to wait for small jobs on daily wage basis.

Owner of Saurabh General Store Bijuri says that "manually made dona-pattals are not liked for want of quality and finishing. Machine-made dona-pattals sell good. Since dona-pattals are frequently demanded, we have to keep it. Previously we had to bring it from Panda but cost of transportation was high. The sample provided by the Durga Aajeevika Group is similar to that, which is in demand in the market. It is therefore we gave them supply order. Thus we have saved transportation cost. Secondly, the risk of damage during transportation would also be covered.", he adds “Another important factor is that in bulk purchases, I had to make space for storage. Now it is available on order even in large quantity."