#Sushmita Goswami

Guwahati | For Moromi Talukdar or Bijoya Das, 'pithas' and 'larus' are not mere traditional Assamese sweets, these are also means of livelihood, especially in the urban landscape where avenues of earning are limited to definite skill sets.

They are among the scores of women in Assam's largest city uwahati who have turned into small-scale entrepreneurs by making 'pithas' (rice pancakes), 'larus' (coconut/ sesame laddus) and other such delicacies and selling them to the general public.

"I had started my business in 2008. There is a demand for pithas and larus here as people in the city don't have the means to get the ingredients and also many lacked the time," Das said.

After starting the venture from her own kitchen, Das said she now employs four women for making the orders and two men to help in the packaging and delivery.

Talukdar is part of a 10-member women's group which engages in various activities for income generation.

"In villages, we can grow our own vegetables, help in farming, etc, and help save money. But in Guwahati, as women, our means to contribute to the family income are limited.

"In such a scenario, this business of selling pithas and larus has helped us earn money and help the family," she said.

Buyers are aplenty for these entrepreneurs as most city dwellers find it difficult to get the ingredients like rice flour, grated coconut or sesame seeds.

These women entrepreneurs have been helped by self-help groups and NGOs working for gender empowerment by training them in packaging and helping in marketing their goods.

As these women earn a few bucks themselves, they have also ensured that skill of making pithas and larus continue to flourish and the taste of these traditional delicacies appease their customers. PTI