Aromatic candles developed
Dharam Prakash Gupta
Tribune News Service

Hamirpur, October 14
A few scientists associated with a voluntary organisation have
evolved unique aromatic candles in the country for the first time for
domestic users which would not only emit soothing fragrances, but
would also be efficacious for treating several diseases and providing
planetary effects.

A voluntary organisation Yumudha, with its years of research, has now
been able to develop aromatic candles in India and has now taken an
initiative to popularise candle manufacturing among rural women as
cottage industry to supplement their income.

The architect of this project, Vishnu Dev Mishra, who is an
agricultural scientist, stuck the idea of evolving aromatic candles
while working on a Science and Technology Project for Government of
India in Jammu and Kashmir to popularise the aromatic plants during
2001.

After concerted research of seven years, Mishra developed aromatic
candles and is now holding workshops for rural women to adopt
manufacturing of aromatic candles as a cottage industry through his
NGO with the support of NABARD.

Telling about his research in this field Mishra told The
Tribune, "During our project we identified 35 aromatic species for
value addition which can be used for making aromatic candles."

"After popularising aromatic candles among rural women in Kathua
district of Jammu and Kashmir now we have started an NGO in Himachal
Pradesh and have organised seven training programmes for women,
besides providing help in establishing the cottage industry", he
said. Mishra said, "Aromas used in candles are being used on the
basis of properties of aromatic plants as described in ayurvedic and
modern science which are beneficial for patients."

Its manufacturers said, "Pleasant fragrance of aromatic plants has
always been appreciated by people around the world and aromatic
candles are very popular in countries like South Africa, Germany and
Austria".