THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: People in urgent need of jute, just approach Gopinathan with some worn-out polyester saree. In just a week's time, Gopi can assure you a jute that towers big on durability, stiffness, and strength. There is no fixed amount, but give him anything that you discern a decent pay.

For a long and arduous 45 years, Gopinathan worked in a brick factory near Karumom. The job, later on, gifted him a heart attack that got him restricted to the four walls of his home. During the alone days, sprouted the idea of twinning out jute from saree. Gopi tried picking up wasted sarees that lay afloat in Vellayani lake. Mind that, this was the first attempt made 14 years back and it failed. Not ready to succumb before the initial flubs, Gopinathatn gave a big fight with repeated attempts to make his past-time endeavor meet his required target. His wife who made earnings working as a housemaid also supported his initiative by contributing her worn-out sarees.

The polyester sarees started giving him results. Not only that, the jute made ended up being strong beyond the expected and normal one available in the market. Now he works inside his home and his Jute is a much sought-after thing among people near Punchakari, Tiruvallam, and Karumam.

Nowadays, people won't waste saree to float on lakes like before. They keep it safe and hand it over to Gopinathan who makes the durable and unique Jute out of it. He can also make Jute from agarbattis packet. The end result is a durable one that also gives a pervading effervescence.

Meanwhile, ailing health is a concern for Gopinathan. He takes a long four days to make a single set of jute. For people who end up breaking the jute unsolicitedly, Gopinathan is ready o pay back Rs 500 as compensation. But such a scenario has never occurred and that bolsters his confidence to try his favorite pastime more often.