Kudumbashree - Success Story of Aksharashree Press

Kottayam district is one of the main centers of literature in Kerala and hence is called as Aksharanagari or the Land of Letters. Aksharashree Press of Kudumbashree Mission had made that attribute real in all senses. Even though Aksharashree Press is not located at Kottayam town, this enterprise can be considered as a model for many which had proved that even women can succeed in printing industry.

Evolution of Aksharashree Press

Aksharashree Press is functioning at the building of Manimuri Samskarika Nilayam of Kottamuri at Thrikkodithanam of Kottayam district from 15 May 2001.  The printing press was started as an initiative for securing a livelihood for women by the Thrikodithanam Panchayath. The women interested in printing were identified from various neighborhood groups under Thrikodithanam Panchayath and were given training under the leadership of Kudumbashree Mission.  During the initial days they were doing only binding works. But later they had widened their services and started taking up all types of printing works. The Panchayath had given building and all machineries for printing.  Rs 25,000 was received from Kudumbashree Mission as financial assistance.  For buying more machineries they had vailed Rs 2.50 lakhs as bank loan, out of which Kudumbashree Mission had given Rs. 1 lakh as subsidy. During the first three years, they were given training of 7 days’ duration each through Kudumbashree Mission.

Smt. Ambika Karthikeyan, Smt. Geetha Gopalakrishnan, Smt. Shobhana Sasi, Smt. Salini Santhosh and Smt. Maya Prasad are the five women who are in charge of Aksharashree Press now.  Through printing works, each unit member is getting an average amount of Rs 6000 from the Aksharashree Press.

Kudumbashree State Mission, Kottayam District Mission, Pathanamthitta District Mission, Kollam District Mission and 7 panchayaths in Kottayam district, 54 panchayaths in Pathanamthitta district and all panchayaths under Chavara block of Kollam district regularly entrusts their printing works with Aksharashree Press.

Choosing and starting the right enterprise at the right time really matters. The success story of the Aksharashree Press can be considered a better epitome of practical wisdom. By successfully running Aksharashree Press, the micro entrepreneurs of Kudumbashree Mission had proved that they can succeed in any industry.  What matters most is the aptitude, determination and self-confidence to make the dreams real!