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dinesh beedi
Kerala-Based Dinesh Beedi Up In Smoke
Dinesh Beedi Workers’ Co-operative Society, an institution born out of a labour movement in Kerala in 1969, is struggling to keep its core business of beedi making afloat. The Kannur-based society which used to employ 42,000 women workers, today has only 2000 workers. As part of its survival strategy, many branches are being merged in Azhikode and Kannur into a single entity. During the best of its time, Dinesh had 16 branches under which 82 small scale units existed. Supporting the beedi manufacturing cause were 18 primary societies spread over Kannur and Kasargod generating a turnover of Rs 60 crore. Interestingly, working at Dinesh Beedi was considered as good as a government job, according to a beedi worker Savithri PV Dinesh used to pay Rs 50 for every 1000 beedis rolled. Today the competition is paying Rs 75 for 1000 beedis. Things took a turn for the worse in 1990 after increased health awareness, ban on tobacco promotion, smoking ban at public places, beedi being considered inferior and easy availability of cheaper brands from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Foreseeing an alarming future, the primary co-operative board of directors — all of whom were beedi rollers, chalked out an expansive diversification with the launch of Dinesh Foods in 1997. This was followed by Dinesh Information Technology Systems, Dinesh Umbrella, Dinesh Auditorium, 2001, Dinesh Apparels 2007 and Cafe Dinesh 2015. Almost all the beedi rollers who lost their jobs, found employment in garments and umbrellas making units, running cafes and upgrading their skills to IT. The diversifications are taking shape but it will take time to make up the loss of Rs 60 crore turnover from beedi rolling. 

TRENDS & VIEWS

Editor’s Note: Short Post Noticed By People Who Matter

Four years have zipped by and we are crossing another milestone on 31st January 2025 – it’s our 4th Anniversary. It feels good.
Looking back at the 1460 days, I must say Short Post has made its mark with people who matter via 4000 stories published in the areas of politics, business, entertainment and sports. All made possible by the unflinching commitment and dedication of our senior editors, most of whom have been part of this journey from Day One.
Small pack, big impact is in essence the story of Short Post which was launched at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. It shows our conviction. In all humility, I can say, we have created a new niche in the news segment space like Hindustan Unilever which created a new segment, when it launched CloseUp Gel.
Yes, we have created a brand (in a limited sense), created demand (readers) and created supply (senior journalists). But we are facing teething problems like all start-ups. What makes us happy and confident is the recognition of our efforts. For instance, we have an arrangement with the OPEN Magazine, part of the $4.5 billion Kolkata-based Sanjiv Goenka-RPG Group. This arrangement sees around 10 Short Post stories posted on OPEN Magazine website every week. This arrangement is testimony that our content has been well received! Also, I may add that the Maharashtra government has recognised Short Post and has allowed our senior editor to cover the Assembly sessions. Ditto: Odisha.
Our goal is to ensure that Short Post becomes a habit. I would like people to keep checking their smartphones to know the latest Authentic Gossip. As regards AI and the fear of it disrupting all businesses including media. On that, personally, I have no such fear as I am confident AI cannot smell news particularly Authentic Gossip. That’s the place we are well entrenched.