Simple Living

There are many things one can learn by living or visiting a small village around here. One of those things would be simplicity.

This family make leaf plates for a business.  I can't remember the name of tree where these leaves come from.  The leaves come from another place called Bardhaman.  

First they use these thin sticks that come from a coconut tree and poke them through the leaves to form a basic plate shape.

Then they are sewn together with thread (this is done in private homes). 

Then the plates are pressed with hot weights.

The boys having a go.

These plates are then trimmed  to size...

and then packed.  The packing, unfortunately involves plastic.

And there you have it! Fully biodegradable environmentally friendly plates!