I’m not sure if this is an adulting thing or not, but the thought of cooking and eating food with fresh vegetables feels like a blessing. So when the founder of Veena’s Thanal, a Trivandrum-based organic farming venture, Veena Raj Kumar, expressed her desire to provide people with the enriching benefits of natural, chemical-free organic products, I knew her story was meant to be shared.
How Veena’s Thanal Began
The initial idea for Veena’s Thanal began when Veena was in Kuwait. She spent most of her adult years with her husband and children as an expat. When COVID hit, her children were in Bangalore, and she found herself with a lot of time to spare. Not wanting to waste it, she said, “I have been wanting to do something really creative that would benefit me as well as others. I thought of a shop, a medical store, and even a kalyana mandapam since we had space in Trivandrum. But I was wondering what could be done if I returned to Kerala as a pravasi.”
Then came the realisation that food is a basic necessity for everyone. Having lived in Kuwait for a long time, she noticed that even food labelled as “export quality,” like cheera (spinach), was often subpar. “The taste you get when you come to Kerala and when our parents make it is completely different. So I thought, why not start a farming business on the land we have?”
It was enlightening to hear her say, “Nature gives us oxygen for free. I have a borewell for water. Everything is free. It is our responsibility to utilise what Mother Nature gives us. But we only take and don’t give back to nature, often polluting it in the process. We have to give back to nature for all that it provides us.” Only someone who truly understands and connects with nature can see it this way, and her perspective opened my eyes as well.
And that’s how Veena’s Thanal began, with a mission to provide people with fresh, chemical-free food for their daily needs.
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Veena’s Tryst with Famring
“My journey into farming started during COVID, when there were many restrictions, and we were confined to our homes. The only source of entertainment was television, and my favourite videos to watch were agricultural videos. I also believe that farming is in my DNA, as both my grandmothers were avid farmers, and I grew up observing their work.
Veena refers to her learning process as a degree from “YouTube University.” She laughs, “Most of my knowledge came from there, and I’m grateful to the people who supported me along the way. After three years of learning and practice, I now feel confident growing organic produce.”
What does Veena’s Thanal Offer
Veena’s Thanal offers a wide range of organic products for everyday use, including all types of vegetables. You can find a wonderful selection of fresh produce, including padavala, okra, brinjal, tomatoes, bananas, pumpkin, cucumbers, cauliflower, cabbage, spinach, and so much more!
They also produce virgin coconut oil due to its high demand, along with dairy products such as milk, curd, ghee, and paneer.
In addition, they make homemade powders like sambar podi and manjal podi.
Customers can either pick up their products or opt for delivery within Thiruvananthapuram. Occasionally, Veena’s Thanal also delivers to Bangalore and Kochi. They even maintain a WhatsApp group where they list all the available products for the day, making it easy for customers to place orders directly.
Here’s the link to be a part of the group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C6pMrVlSqhs6qo19W6Dz1S?mode=wwt
Ultimate Vision for Veena’s Thanal
Veena’s dream is to open a store that houses the best of her organic farming efforts. “As a certified organic farmer, I envision a welcoming space filled with the fresh produce, dairy, and powders that I cultivate with passion and care.”
Veena’s Thanal’s primary customers are women who appreciate the value of organic living. Veena hopes to create an inviting, wholesome atmosphere where people can get everything they need for their kitchen, all in one place.
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A Life Rooted in Purpose
Speaking with Veena, I could sense her deep, unwavering passion. She doesn’t want to remain idle because, as she puts it, “an idle mind is a devil’s workshop.” Occupying herself with something meaningful and close to her heart, something that gives back to both people and nature, has become her way of life.
She absolutely loves watching Veena’s Thanal grow, and it’s inspiring to see how a simple idea born out of free time during a lockdown has blossomed into a purposeful venture. We’re proud to share her story, one that reminds us that going back to our roots might just be the most forward-thinking thing we can do.
