In the heart of Nilakottai, Dindigul district, approximately 45 kilometers from Madurai, the air is filled with the tinkling sound of glass bangles and the heady fragrance of jasmine. Inside an unassuming building tucked away in a quiet bylane, around 30 women are meticulously stringing jasmine flowers. The melodious tunes of songs from a mobile phone create a harmonious background as nimble fingers work swiftly. Seated in front of small heaps of flowers, each woman can string half a kilogram in under an hour.
Beyond the walls of the building, two groups of men are engaged in stringing garlands. Polystyrene boxes are lined up nearby, awaiting the carefully packed garlands and jasmine strands, cooled with ice. These fragrant creations are destined for distant lands, including Singapore, the United States, the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), and Malaysia. As the afternoon approaches, a sense of urgency permeates the air – the consignment must be prepared for its initial road journey.
This scene unfolds as part of the daily operations in the numerous small packaging units affiliated with export companies scattered throughout Nilakottai. The hands of empowered women, working with precision and speed, contribute significantly to the global export of jasmine, creating a fragrant connection between Nilakottai and the world.
