THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: If not for Facebook, Deeja’s life would have been entirely on a wheelchair. Polio affected Deeja in her childhood. After 35 years of weeping, she started a pickle company from an idea she picked up on Facebook. She named it ‘Nymithra’, meaning new friend. Facebook is a late friend in her life filled with loneliness.

Deeja, a Varkala native, was affected by Polio at the age of three. Her father Satheesh, a headload worker, tried all he can to treat the child.

Satheesh could not afford traveling cost for Deeja’s education. Without any complaints, Deeja learned from the books of her elder sister Deepa. She learned how to read, write and dream. She even tried to help her father by taking tuition classes for kids and by selling her hand-crafted materials.

Deeja was left with loneliness and suffering till that smartphone reached her, a year back. She came across the possibilities of online business through her friends on Facebook and the thought struck her on what can be done just by sitting on a wheelchair.

She was interested in pickle business. Her friends on Facebook was ready to help. When Naushad came on as a partner, everything moved smoothly. That’s how ‘Nymithra’ was formed. Noushad will bring all the ingredients for making pickle. The pickles are entirely home-made. They are marketed over Facebook. Deeja takes orders on Facebook and sends her product through parcel service. Orders can also be made through this mobile number: 79023 75735

There are veg and non-veg pickles. Chemicals and food colors are not used. She shifted her stay to Chadayamangalam in order to facilitate her business. She is now trying to introduce her products to the public market.