#SUPPORTHERDREAM
OUR STORY
CORD & Olirr – Empowering Rural Women Together
Chinmaya Organisation for Rural Development (CORD) has been a catalyst in transforming rural lives through self-reliance, empowerment, and sustainable growth.
At its heart lies a strong belief — true development happens when people are empowered to help themselves.
As part of this mission, CORD Siruvani nurtures and mentors rural women, guiding them through skill training, self-help groups, and livelihood programs.
These women, with resilience and determination, create products that are natural, sustainable, and deeply rooted in tradition.
Olirr was born as a bridge between these rural women and consumers. By marketing and sharing their products with wider communities, Olirr amplifies the voices and efforts of these women — turning their skills into sustainable livelihoods.
Together, CORD and Olirr stand for more than just products. They represent:
Empowerment – Women gaining confidence and independence.
Sustainability – Promoting eco-friendly, locally made alternatives.
Community Growth – Rural development that uplifts families and villages.
Every purchase from Olirr is not just a transaction, but a step towards strengthening CORD’s vision — a self-reliant rural India where women lead the way.
Not every product needs a factory.
Some are made in small homes, by skilled hands, with generations of knowledge.
Olirr brings these handcrafted creations from rural artisans to your home.
Every purchase supports livelihoods, preserves traditions, and promotes conscious living.
Olirr — Products with Purpose.
Livelihoods that speak the Stories
Supporting rural women daily.
Incense Sticks
Vasuki Amma had open-heart surgery. To pay her medical bills, she started making agarbatti.
She crafted the incense sticks by hand, coating small wooden sticks with a fragrant sandalwood paste. Every stick she made was a step toward recovery, helping her family pay for her treatments. CORD facilitated her training and Olirr the sales. The smell of sandalwood became a quiet reminder of her determination and the help from her community.
Needing to balance motherhood with a sense of purpose and income, she began crafting her own natural, chemical-free soaps and lip balms at home.
She prioritized ingredients like native herbs and rich butters, seeking a safe alternative for her young family.
Applying her innate analytical precision to botanical formulations, she launched her own brand, Guru Arpan Soaps. What began as a therapeutic hobby at local markets and online quickly blossomed into a thriving business. Today, Guru Arpan Soaps provides a substantial income, allowing Manonmani to support her growing family's needs while achieving a fulfilling balance between professional ambition and personal life.
Manonmani, once a dedicated accountant in Coimbatore, was unable to return to her corporate job after the birth of her son.
Priya, a small farmer, found that traditional farming alone was not lucrative enough to support her family. Determined to create a better livelihood, she enrolled in a beekeeping training program at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
Through the program, she received starter bee boxes and began her journey into apiculture. As the bees gradually settled into the hives and started producing honey, Priya carefully harvested the honey, gently filtering it to preserve its natural purity and nutrients.
Today, this pure, natural honey—harvested with care from Priya’s hives—is bottled and brought to you by Olirr, supporting her livelihood and empowering rural women entrepreneurs.
Thirumalar Selvi was a hardworking farmer in Coimbatore until a hernia surgery changed everything. Her doctors told her she could no longer handle the heavy physical labor of tilling and harvesting. Feeling lost but determined to support her family, she began attending livelihood training sessions organized by CORD.
At these sessions, Malar learned how to turn raw grains into value-added products. Using her knowledge of traditional food, she started a home business making ready-to-eat millet mixes and ready-to-cook meals.
Working from the comfort of her home, she ensures every batch is made without any chemicals or preservatives. Her business has grown quickly, providing a substantial income that covers her family's needs. Through Pasumai Foods, Malar is proud that she found a way to stay connected to her farming roots while building a successful, hygienic, and healthy brand.
Handcrafted Soaps
Pure Honey from the Hive
And the Stories Keep Building ...
Smart Cooking with Millets.