Karnataka: School closed, teachers whip up chips & halwa for sale

MANGALURU: With uncertainty prevailing over reopening of schools this academic year and not many parents willing to pay fees, Ambika Group of Institutions in Puttur has ventured into a new line of business: about 30 of its 90 staff members (teaching and nonteaching) are making jackfruit chips, halwa and condiments for sale.
“Since parents are sceptical about paying fees for the coming year, the school has decided to divert its resources towards manufacturing homemade food products under the brand name ‘Shivam’ (Shikshaka Vrinda Ambika),” said Subrahmanya Nattoja, founder of the group.Since June 22, staff members have been gathering on campus and making and packaging snacks, halwa and sambar powder.
“All private schools are badly hit due to the coronavirus pandemic. The management has invested a seed capital of Rs 50,000 and the profit earned will be shared among the employees. Under the current situation, the college can pay only 50% of the salaries to staff members. This is an initiative to tide over the economic crisis,” said Nattoja.
Kannada lecturer K Sathish leads the initiative that is supported by the cooks of the institute. “The institute’s hostel has a huge kitchen that used to prepare food for 400 students. Cleanliness and best safety standards are being followed. We are also focusing on marketing the products. We have completed one round of talks with a Mangaluru-based wholesale agency,” said Nattoja.
About 1,200 students from Class 1 to PUC and 30 undergraduate students are enrolled in the group’s institutions. Alongside kitchen operations, teachers are also preparing and recording online lessons. “Parents will be encouraged to buy items produced by staff members. School vehicles will be used for sales. Based on the response, we hope to scale up production,” said Nattoja.