Maria Kuriakose a female entrepreneur from Thrissur – Kerala India. Maria quit her corporate job in 2019 at a social enterprise in Mumbai, then launched a homegrown brand named Thenga. Thenga in Malayalam means coconuts. Maria decided to zero-in on coconuts as that was the main agricultural crop in Kerala and the state was named after coconuts. Kera means coconuts, and Kerala is the land of coconuts.

Thenga is a small start up led by women working on products made with discarded coconut shells. At the hands of artisans from across Kerala, these shells are sandpapered, varnished and transformed into designer smoothie bowls, planters, candle holders, cups and even cutlery.

In order to ensure a sustainable, near zero – waste natural product, she does not use any artificial substance in the making of these bowls. Thenga is an excellent contributor to the environment in two ways. First, it reduces waste, and second, no trees are being harmed by it in the process. Shells that would have gone into the landfills are now made up into beautiful products.