Eighty nine-year-old Laxmi Ammal and Kasthuri Sivaraman, a mother-daughter duo, grew up in a strict conservative family.
In a typical south Indian conservative family, usually women were not encouraged to think independently. Laxmi (89) only completed Class 3 in a Tamil-medium school, Kasthuri (71) completed Class 7 in a Tamil-medium institution. However, they were groomed to obey their spouses once they married.
When people are used to getting directions from others, it might be difficult for them to make their own decisions and take action.
Despite all these obstacles, both Laxmi and Kasthuri believed that age is just a number and ventured into becoming successful entrepreneurs by opening a farm stay, fondly named Pico. Running a farm stay in the middle of a big agricultural ‘Vaksana’ farm can be physically demanding, particularly for senior folks.
Pico farm stay in Tamil Nadu’s Rettanai village was created on their 185-year-old organic farm, but it was exclusively open to relatives and friends only at the time. Today, Pico in Tamil Nadu is more popular as a blessed farmstay, that gives you the opportunity to not only try your hand at farming but also interact with two empowering
grandmothers, who will shower you with love, affection and homely meals.
“The only regret we have is that we didn’t do this sooner,” Kasthuri says. “I used to be curious about who would come to our farm stay, which was hosted by two elderly women who could only communicate in Tamil. My mother would be terrified of meeting new people. But we let go of our inhibitions and welcomed guests seeking a break from their frantic lives. This was the best decision we’ve ever made.”
It would be a mistake to think these women have superhuman abilities to do everything because they do get fatigued. On certain days, they sleep more and work less.
Nonetheless, Pico has entertained over 200 visitors to date, with an average of 10 visitors every month. However, the first few weeks were challenging.
“We didn’t have any guests for over six months due to the lockdown in 2020. When a group of Youtubers came to visit, they left us glowing internet evaluations and even filmed a video. It helped us gain popularity quickly,” Kasthuri adds, adding that she is now learning to access the internet so she can read the evaluations herself.
The farm spans 13 acres, an ancestral property where crops have been farmed for generations. When Laxmi’s husband passed away 37 years ago, her son assumed control of the farm.
When Kasthuri’s son Kiruba was ready to take over, he pursued a career in digital marketing instead. The property remained barren and underused for several years.
However, in 2011, the family decided to restore the greens by planting a food forest, harvesting crops, and constructing a farm stay for their visitors.
“It was a family pastime,” Laxmi says. My great-granddaughters and I all contributed to the planting of numerous trees. After our farm was completed, a large number of our relatives began to visit us. They wanted to go away from their city lives for a few days and spend time in a quite and serene place. Different areas of the land are partitioned. Mahogany, lumber, sandalwood, and mango trees make up one portion. Paddy cultivation is featured in another section. A ‘Mandala’ concept has also been devised by the family. Tomatoes, brinjals, cauliflower, beans, cabbage, and other organic vegetables are produced in the maze-like region.
The farm stay also features five rainwater harvesting ponds spread over the countryside. The water that is saved is used to raise fish.
Laxmi and Kasthuri enjoy tending to the plants and trees, despite the fact that the family has hired help. They’re frequently seen in the Mandala area, harvesting ripe fruits and veggies for the guests and family.
Despite the fact that they have no wanderlust, the two were heavily involved in the design of the farm stay. They were particular about offering guests with a unique experience while also providing modern conveniences such as air conditioning, washing machines, television, internet, and more.
“We wanted to incorporate a taste of our surroundings, particularly the cuisine.” There are hundreds of farm stays to choose from, but we wanted to add our own special touch. “We began construction of the house by first constructing wide windows to enable enough of natural light and breeze inside,” Kasthuri explains.
Wooden floors, two mini-libraries, and various indoor plants help to keep the air clean. The farm can be seen from every room in the house.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to live on a farm. The huge windows allow guests to see the trees, crops, and vegetables that are being gathered at any time. There are no roads, cars, or people in the area. “It respects your privacy while providing you with the opportunity to live in nature,” Laxmi explains.
The culinary menu has been meticulously prepared by Laxmi and Kasthuri. The farm’s veggies and fruits are utilised to produce a variety of dishes. The guests’ favourite drink is ‘Sembarati,’ or hibiscus juice.
The ‘Sembarati’ or hibiscus juice is a favourite among the guests. The ‘sangapu’ juice (Asian Pigeonwings) is prepared with lemon and honey which is refreshing and healthy.
According to Kasthuri, the pleasure of presenting local food cultivated by the family makes them forget about their age-related problems.
“The finest part of staying at Pico was tasting the meals complete with ancestors’ secret recipes prepared by the grandma,” says Priya Velu, one of their guests. The ever-smiling grandmother was the cutest hostess. I could tell these women weren’t just looking for a quick buck. The house’s interior is extremely tranquil and comfortable. My golden retriever dog got space to run around at the farm stay for the first time.”
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