The phoenix rises

Twenty-one years ago, Kamal Tatiya lived a comfortable life with hardly any work beyond supervising the running of her household. Her hus...

Twenty-one years ago, Kamal Tatiya lived a comfortable life with hardly any work beyond supervising the running of her household. Her husband, Popatlal, had a successful business and their four children 8211; Pravin, Kanti, Nutan and Sudhir 8211; went to good schools. But fate intervened. A fire swept through Narayan Peth, completely gutting 12 shops. One of them belonged to Popatlal.

Not only did he lose everything, he also ran up a debt of almost Rs. 35 lakh. The couple sold off all their assets. Unable to even think of starting afresh, Popatlal went to Kolhapur, where he picked up some work. But the money he sent home was too meagre so Kamal took up work at a nearby cottage industry where she rolled out papads and khakras. It was then that she hit upon another idea.

8220;I bought enough ingredients to make five kilograms of supari, which was all I could afford then. I roasted, ground and packed it in used Chitale milk packets. I sold these to my neighbours. The masala was an instant hit and orders for more poured in,8221; reminisces Kamal.

This was in 1980. She gradually increased her production. In fact, so great was the demand that her husband returned from Kolhapur to lend her a helping hand. He took charge of sourcing the raw materials, improved the packaging and found new markets in many shops. The couple even gave a brand name to their product 8211; 8220;Keshar-Ratna, in honour of my parents-in-law, because it was due to their blessings that we were succeeding in our venture,8221; says Kamal.

The profits slowly rolled in and not only were they able to pay off their debts, they even managed to buy a small factory at Ranjangaon. While supari remained their main item, they added Instant Idli Rawa Mix, Idli Peeth, Dosa Peeth, Dhokla Peeth and Dalia to their products. The work was tremendous.

Kamal would rise early in the morning, finish off her household chores, cook and leave the house at 7.30 only to return at 9.00 p.m. However, she did not mind the long hours. But fate struck her another cruel blow. Her husband died suddenly. Grief-stricken she was, but she could not afford the luxury of sitting at home to grieve. She still had to fend for her four children.Her youngest son Sudhir recalls, 8220;On the 15th day, she went back to her heavy schedule, travelling all the way to Ranjangaon, sometimes alone, sometimes with my elder brother.8221;

Keshar-Ratna flourished, and five years ago, Kamal sold off the premises at Ranjangaon, and moved to a bigger area at Kondhwa. 8220;Here, we have set up more modern machinery. Everything is done by machines.8221; And though she now employs 10 workers, she still personally supervises the quantity, the proportions, the cleanliness and the quality of the products. 8220;We have never compromised on quality,8221; she declares emphatically and regular uses of her products will vouch for it. For Keshar-Ratna is popular throughout the state. From a mere five kilograms of supari masala, she now has to cater for 200 kilograms daily, and has an annual turnover of Rs. 48 lakh. Her products are popular not only locally but abroad as well. 8220;I have friends who are NRIs and even they order my suparis,8221; she reveals with pride.

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Apart from the business front, Kamal has been equally successful on the domestic front too. 8220;All my children are graduates. And they are married. My son helps in the business and my daughters-in-law are the best anyone can have.8221;

Hard work, integrity, faith 8211; these are the ingredients in any success story and Kamal has proved it in full measure as she rose phoenix-like from the ashes of a devastating fire.