Making income through LED Bulbs: Success Story of Gramakiranam Unit

For the past few years, Kudumbashree Mission had been venturing into different arena, starting unique micro enterprises and had been reaping success, marking a foot print of their own. The Gramakirnam unit of Kudumbashree Mission at Kasaragod district of Kerala is one such micro enterprise. They had been engaged in LED bulb production and had been engaged in LED bulb production and had been extending related services.

Evolution of Gramakiranam

The Gramakiranam is run by a 15-member team consisting of the neighborhood group members from Padanna, Valiyaparamba, Pilikode, Uduma, Cheruvathoor and Neeleshwaram municipality of Neeleshwaram block and members of Yuvashree. The unit functions at a building arranged by Pilikode Panchayath at free of cost. Electricity is also arranged for the unit at free of cost. Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission had extended 15-days training in LED bulb production and services like repairing for the interested ones. Twenty-five people who had attended the training started the unit during April 2018. When there occurred a delay in starting the functioning of the unit’s activities, eight of the members left the unit. Rs 5 lakhs availed from Agriculture Co-operative Bank, Pilikode, Rs. 50,000 given by Kudumbashree Mission and Rs 5000, the contribution of the unit members constitutes the capital of the unit.

Why LED bulbs?

The light-emitting diode (LED) is one of today's most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing lighting technologies. An LED lamp is an electric light or light bulb for use in light fixtures that produces light using light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LED lamps have a lifespan and electrical efficiency which are several times greater than incandescent lamps, and are significantly more efficient than most fluorescent lamps, with some chips able to emit more than 300 lumens per watt. Quality LED light bulbs last longer, are more durable, and offer comparable or better light quality than other types of lighting. LED is a highly energy efficient lighting technology, and has the potential to fundamentally change the future of lighting.  Widespread use of LED lighting has the greatest potential impact on energy savings also. LEDs primarily offer advances in efficiency, controllability, and life span. The key strength of LED lighting is reduced power consumption. Thus, due to demand it is a good project for entrepreneurs to invest.

Functioning of Gramakiranam unit

The governing body consisting of all the 15 members of the unit is in charge of the functioning of the unit. All unit members have equal responsibility in running the enterprise. The committee meets once in every month, discuss all the issues, find out solutions and prepare action plan for further growth and expansion. Everything is clearly documented in the minutes’ book. Mr. Sarath Sankar, one of the unit members, who holds a diploma in electrical engineering, is the technical advisor giving expert opinion and technical guidance. Shri. P. Ashokan is the President and Smt. Krishna Viji is the Secretary of the unit. Smt. P. Shreeba serves as the treasurer of Gramakiranam unit.  

Initially, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission placed an order for the supply of 350 LED bulbs which had to be distributed among the Kudumbashree members within the district. They have started the business with this order. Apart from this order, they had been provided with opportunities to sell their products in big trade fairs including ‘National SARAS Mela’.

The first unit for the unit was received from the Valiyaparambu Grama Panchayath. The bulbs are branded in the brand name ‘Gramakiranam’. Rs 100, Rs 170, Rs 240 and Rs 300 is charged for 9W, 12W, 15W, 18W bulbs respectively.

When the engineering department gave the quality certificate, Gramakirnam got the official approval of Kerala government. And now the government institutions may buy the Gramakiranam branded bulbs without any further quotation processes. The Gramakirnam unit also impressed the public by servicing the street lights. They had received orders from Pilikode Panchayath worth Rs 20 lakhs and Pallikkara Panchayath worth Rs 10 lakhs. Now each member is getting wages on daily basis. Those who goes to field for supplying bulb and services is given Rs 450 per day and those who works in the office are given Rs 350 per day. Yet another Gramakiranam comprising of 16 members had started functioning at Mangalapadi of Manjeshwaram block during October 2018.

Gramakiranam unit had indeed broken all the gender stereotypes by launching Gramakiranam bulbs and had proved that there is nothing determination and focus can’t do. The launch of Gramakiranam bulbs had proved that great ideas can bring in revolutionary changes.