Paper trail, founded four years ago, is a model business enterprise that empowers women.

A feisty young woman herself with a never-say-die spirit, Diwia assessed her strengths. It was at the same time that recession was taking a toll on livelihoods and were affected their lives.

Diwia began by collecting old newspapers from door- to-door, earning the nickname, raddi wali of Thevara and Bagvathi. Her friends pitched in and she amassed huge amounts of paper and began teaching women to make paper bags.

Initially she made 60 in a day and earned Rs. 120. It was something, but not enough. She realised the best way to forge ahead was by widening the product range. Diwia moved into the segment of gift bags, gift-wrapping and customised packaging.

She began with 35 woman who needed financial help, guidance and a conduit to revert to mainstream life. Though small, the units in Mattancherry and Fort Kochi were hugely productive. At given point of time there are 50 women in Papertrail. Each unit has its own model of working. Women either meet at a collection centre or make bags individually at their homes,” says Diwia

Source: The Hindu