# Faridabad youth Pradeep transforms corn husks into profitable home decor, empowering local women > Pradeep Chandra from Faridabad is using discarded corn husks to craft trays, mats, and seat cushions being showcased at the Surajkund Diwali fair. This innovative initiative has successfully provided home-based employment to over 100 women across two to three villages. **Type:** article · **Category:** Haryana · **Published:** 2026-10-24 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/haryana/faridabad-ke-pradeep-ne-corn-husks-se-badali-mahilaon-ki-kismata-bekara-kachare-se-bana-rahe-shanadara-gharelu-samana-51318 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Faridabad, Surajkund Mela, Women Empowerment, Handicrafts, Eco Friendly, Employment, Startup In Faridabad, a remarkable green initiative is turning what is typically discarded as waste into valuable and beautiful home decor items. At the Surajkund Diwali fair in Faridabad, a unique stall featuring trays, mats, and seat cushions made entirely from discarded corn husks has been drawing considerable attention. Beyond the novelty of the products, this grassroots venture has successfully provided sustainable employment and income to more than 100 women residing across two to three nearby villages. ## Drawing inspiration from traditional roots Pradeep Chandra, a program officer with Phoolja Foundation, shared that elder women and grandmothers in his village used to craft various items out of corn husks in the past. Taking direct inspiration from these age-old techniques, they decided to give those traditional methods a fresh and modern twist. The initial idea to launch this venture came from a woman in their village who wanted local women to have access to work that could be done comfortably from home. While men often travel outside for various jobs, women in rural areas frequently face a severe lack of employment opportunities. This initiative was specifically designed to bridge that gap. ## The process of turning waste into art According to Pradeep, it has been more than a year and a half since this enterprise was first launched. People routinely throw away corn husks after consuming the corn, but the team gathered those discarded husks and introduced them to the village women. After providing them with some basic training and utilizing instructional videos on YouTube to refine their skills, the women mastered the craft. Currently, the team creates five to six distinct product varieties using corn husks. The production process requires very little monetary investment. The husks are first separated and thoroughly dried before being hand-woven into intricate designs. Crafting a single tray takes anywhere from six to seven hours of dedicated handwork. ## Market pricing and customized orders The pricing of these eco-friendly items reflects the labor and intricate craftsmanship involved. A handcrafted tray made from corn husks is priced at 350 rupees, while a set of two mats is available for 500 rupees. A smaller seat cushion costs 700 rupees, and a larger floor mat is retailed at 1500 rupees. All of these items are manufactured directly inside the homes of the participating women. Due to high demand, current stock levels at the stalls remain limited, prompting the artisans to also accept and fulfill customized orders based on specific customer requests. This creative enterprise highlights how discarded agricultural waste can be ingeniously repurposed to foster financial independence in rural communities. ## What this means for you This community-driven initiative creates meaningful financial opportunities for rural women through home-based craftsmanship. - **For Local Women:** Over 100 women across two to three villages near Faridabad are gaining steady home-based employment, helping them achieve financial independence. - **For the Market and Environment:** Repurposing agricultural waste reduces environmental clutter while offering consumers affordable, handcrafted, and eco-friendly home accessories. ## Why this happened This enterprise was established to address the lack of local employment opportunities for rural women while reviving ancient craft techniques. - **Inspiration from Elders:** The traditional methods used by elder women and grandmothers in the village served as the core blueprint for modern product creation. - **Utilizing Agricultural Waste:** Corn husks are widely discarded as waste, providing a zero-cost raw material that keeps production expenses extremely low. - **Skill Enhancement:** Basic training sessions combined with instructional resources from YouTube helped women master the art of hand-weaving intricate home decor. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Where and by whom was this initiative started? The initiative is showcased at the Surajkund fair in Faridabad and is spearheaded by Pradeep Chandra, a program officer with Phoolja Foundation, along with local village women. ### 2. How many women are employed through this project? More than 100 women across two to three villages are employed and earning from home through this venture. ### 3. What is the primary material used to make these products? Discarded corn husks, which are normally thrown away after eating corn, are used as the primary raw material. ### 4. How long does it take to make a single tray? It takes about six to seven hours of hand-weaving to craft a single tray from corn husks. ### 5. What are the prices of these handmade products in the market? A tray costs 350 rupees, a set of two mats is priced at 500 rupees, a small seat cushion is 700 rupees, and a large floor mat is 1500 rupees. ## Inspiration & Lessons The journey of Pradeep and the village women offers valuable takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs. - **Valuing Traditional Wisdom:** Old techniques passed down by elders can be successfully adapted and modernized to fit contemporary market demands. - **Starting with Zero Investment:** By utilizing discarded materials and agricultural waste, viable businesses can be built without heavy financial backing. - **Empowering Communities:** Creating home-based work opportunities allows rural women to earn independently and uplift their households. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._