Tripura woman turns cow dung into folders, idols, earns lakhs

The support helped her establish a unit that converts dried cow dung into useful and decorative products.

In Paschim Sonatala village in Tripura's Khowai district, Lipi Bhowmik has found a way to turn dried cow dung into products used for work, worship and decoration. The rural entrepreneur makes folders, idols and diyas from the material, building an enterprise with financial support from the Tripura Rural Livelihoods Mission (TRLM).Bhowmik's work has earned her recognition as a Lakhpati Didi. According to a report by Northeast Today, she received financial assistance of Rs 5.10 lakh through TRLM to set up her venture. The support helped her establish a unit that converts dried cow dung into useful and decorative products.

From dried cow dung to everyday and decorative products

Bhowmik's product range includes folders, idols and diyas. Instead of treating cow dung only as a material for conventional rural uses, she has explored ways to process and shape it into items that can be used in offices, homes and religious settings.

The idea gives an everyday material a different purpose. Her enterprise combines handmade production with products that have both utility and decorative value.According to Northeast Today, the initiative is also intended to promote environmentally sustainable livelihood opportunities by making use of an easily available resource.

Support from Tripura Rural Livelihoods Mission

Financial assistance of Rs 5.10 lakh from TRLM played an important role in setting up Bhowmik's enterprise.

Financial assistance of Rs 5.10 lakh from TRLM played an important role in setting up Bhowmik's enterprise.

TRLM Chief Executive Officer Tarit Kanti Chakma visited her unit along with senior officials and appreciated her creativity, entrepreneurial initiative and commitment to sustainable livelihoods. The visit brought attention to the work being done by Bhowmik and the role of institutional support in helping rural women establish income-generating ventures.

A Krishi Sakhi and member of a self-help group

Her work extends beyond the cow-dung-based enterprise. Bhowmik also serves as a Krishi Sakhi and is an active member of the Loknath Self-Help Group (SHG).

According to Northeast Today, she contributes to agricultural development through her role as a Krishi Sakhi while also participating in a women-led community institution.Her journey brings together entrepreneurship, agriculture and participation in a self-help group. The two reports highlight how access to institutional finance, community support and an idea based on local resources can help a rural woman build an enterprise.

By making folders, idols and diyas from dried cow dung, Lipi Bhowmik has created a business around a material readily available in her surroundings. Her work in Paschim Sonatala also reflects the wider aim of the Lakhpati Didi initiative: supporting rural women as they develop livelihoods and build independent sources of income.