Vadivelan Kiremila

Kremila’s Herbal Rise from Karainagar

In the coastal village of Karainagar, Jaffna, 44-year-old Vadivelan Kiremila has quietly emerged as a determined herbal entrepreneur, transforming ancestral knowledge into a thriving small-scale business: Bhakya Cottage Industry. Specializing in the production of seven distinctive herbal powders, her range includes fragrant Moringa leaf powder, bittersweet Neem powder, floral Avarampoo coffee, brain-boosting Vallarai powder, cooling Mungatathan, purifying Kurinja, and immune-boosting Karunjeera powder. For the past three years, these time-honored remedies have redefined her livelihood. [1748]

Before venturing into herbal products, Kiremila worked as a tailor for over a decade. The spark for her current business was lit by her grandfather, a herbal enthusiast who once made and sold similar products before abandoning them during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inspired by his legacy, Kiremila revived the tradition, blending ancient knowledge with her own entrepreneurial spirit.

Her products soon caught the attention of customers near and far. One customer overseas even praised her Moringa powder as a rich, savoury complement to plain rice, a combination Kremila herself tried only after the suggestion and found surprisingly delicious. [1753]

Yet the path has been far from smooth. Initially unfamiliar with marketing, she struggled to sell her goods until she attended a workshop organized by the Viludhu initiative, where she gained crucial business and branding knowledge. “You shouldn’t do what everyone else is doing,” she notes. “These products are different, and that’s the reason I started.”

As demand for her powders increased, so did challenges. Raw materials that were once freely available now come at a cost. Payment delays from local sellers make it hard to procure ingredients on time, and some shopkeepers outright reject her products. “We don’t even ask for payment upfront. Still, we often leave with our bags untouched,” she laments.

Despite this, her most popular products such as Avarampoo coffee, Kurinja powder, and Moringa leaf powder continue to gain attraction through platforms like Sanjeevi, which she joined in 2022. Her vision now includes securing official health approvals, expanding to other districts and countries, and gaining professional guidance.

Proudly, she reflects: “People once mocked me for collecting herbs in the forests. Today, those same people recognize my work. I grew because I didn’t let their ridicule stop me.”