A pen that is also a plant — yes, you read it right — one that can grow into vegetables, flowers or trees. Each of Kadalas Penakal’s pens has a seed capsule. According to Suresh Babu, a co-ordinator, “The capsule contains one of several varieties of herbs, vegetables or fruits. When planted in soil the seed will germinate within one to three weeks.” The pens are made out of rainbow-coloured thick craft papers and refill inks. Kadalas Penakal, which comprises of differently-abled men and women, was started a year ago through a Whatsapp group. “The founder of our group, who prefers to remain anonymous, brought us all together. He wanted to train us in a craft, which we could turn into a livelihood, so that we could be self sufficient,” says city-based Renjini S. Renjini S | Photo Credit: Special arrangement It was the anonymous founder who suggested that they train in making paper pens. Says Suresh: “I’m part of a group of differently-abled people that makes umbrellas. However, the demand for umbrellas is seasonal. Pens are something we use on a daily basis. We tend to discard plastic pens and they turn into plastic waste. But once the ink runs out, you can stick our pens in the ground and watch them turn into plants.” There are around 20 members in the Whatsapp group, hailing from different parts of the State, right from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod. Kollam-based Suresh, who holds paper pen making classes, says that they learnt the art through YouTube videos. Suresh Babu | Photo Credit: Special arrangement The group gets orders from corporates and for weddings. While corporates want their logos stuck on the pens, for weddings, the bride’s and groom’s pictures or names are pasted on them. “More and more consumers are starting to think more sustainably than they did say five years ago,” says Suresh. As for seeds, most people prefer vegetable seeds. Seeds of flowers like sunflower and chrysanthemum are popular too, although a tad expensive than the rest. According to Reetha Anitha from Ernakulam, who’s part of the group, orders are divided fairly amongst the members. “And everyone gets the right pay into their bank accounts.” Reetha Anitha | Photo Credit: Special arrangement The paper pens are marketed on their Facebook page and via Whatsapp. “We send it to all our contacts and they in turn share the post with their family and friends,” says Anitha. The pens are not available at retail outlets yet. “We take orders mostly through our Facebook page Kadalas Penakal (written in Malayalam script) Paper Pen.” There is a minimum order for those who wish to buy the pens. The members say that business has taken a dip post the recent floods. “But it is gradually picking up. The demand for greener products is here to stay. When we create plants from garbage, it inspires people to think about other things they can reuse. We want to tell people that everybody can take small steps, and that it doesn’t have to be complicated to make our world a little greener,” says Renjini. Contact: 9061275475/9809702254

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