KOTTAYAM: Lathika Subhash, who once protested by shaving her head at KPCC headquarters against being denied an Assembly seat, has become a role model for women entrepreneurs with 'Upperi Kitchen'. She sees her enterprise as a means to empower 3-4 individuals through employment, rather than just a profit-driven venture.

The special item in Upperi Kitchen is a traditional Kerala-style 'Nurukku Upperi' (banana chips) made by cutting bananas into four and frying them in authentic coconut oil. 'Nurukku Upperi and Sharkara Varatti became instant hits under the brand name 'Lathika's Kitchen'. 300 kilograms of banana chips were sold online during Onam. The products are delivered through courier services as well. The products are made-to-order, using fresh coconut oil and no reused oil. The brand, which has already obtained a license from the Food Safety Department, is now gearing up to introduce salted roasted cashew nuts into the market.

"My mother Saraswathy is my guru in cooking. It is my mother's tip to add curry leaves to enhance the taste of the chips," Lathika said.

Lathika is donning the role of an entrepreneur after walking through long political paths. She became an LIC agent while serving as a KSU college union councillor. She also worked as a teacher at parallel colleges. She was a member of the editorial boards of Mangalam and Veekshanam newspapers. She also ran a driving school. She had served in various positions such as district council president, district panchayat president, KPCC secretary and general secretary.

The person holding the post of Mahila Congress state president is usually considered as a Congress candidate in the Assembly Elections. She protested by shaving her head as the party denied her the seat in 2021. Following this, she contested against the UDF candidate in Ettumanoor and secured more than 25,000 votes. She later became NCP state vice president and Forest Development Corporation chairperson.

Honest public service, coupled with any legitimate means of earning a living - that's Lathika's policy.