Prakash, 26, used to work as a sculptor decorating temples. He was married and had a young child. Two years ago, he suffered a serious motorcycle accident, hitting his head and spending a long time in a coma. The accident left the right side of his body mostly paralyzed, making it difficult for him to walk or use his right arm and hand. After the accident, Prakash’s wife took their child and left him, returning to live with her parents.
The early months were very challenging, and his mother covered all his living and medical expenses. To support her, Malar Trust provided her with a job as a cleaner at Poonjeri Primary School, paying a monthly salary of 1,800 rupees.
Over time, Prakash began physiotherapy and rehabilitation exercises, and while his mobility is still limited, his condition has improved. To avoid burdening his family further, he wanted to start a small home-based business.
He decided to produce decorative items using molds with floral and architectural designs, which are in high demand for temples, resorts, homes, and hotels. Drawing on his experience as a sculptor and his network of contacts, he could start this work at home with minimal materials—cement, water, and a small metal rod—without rent or electricity.
In September 2024, Malar Trust supported him with 25,000 rupees to buy the molds, paying the store directly. By January 2025, Prakash reported small but steady earnings, sometimes supplemented by renting molds to acquaintances.
We recently visited him again: the business continues, even though he still faces health challenges and travels 40 km daily for therapeutic massages. Unable to work directly all the time, he often rents his molds to other artisans and is able to support himself through this small but meaningful enterprise.
