THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A group of daily-wage keepers and a gardener at the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo has made signboards out of a mahogany tree fell on its premises.
Now the museum and zoo authorities have decided to make use of their talents in large scale.
Zookeepers S. Saneesh, C. Biju and Sreenivasan Assary and gardener V. S. Harikumar had talents hidden in them. It was a chance encounter that led them to work together and come out with innovative signboards.
The old mahogany tree had fallen recently near the bison enclosure. While Mr Saneesh did the artwork and carpentry, Mr Assary did the welding. Mr Biju did the carving, and Mr Harikumar gave finishing touches, polishing and painting.
So far they have made eight signboards, and more are on the anvil.
“I was working at an automobile company in Muscat. Due to personal reasons, I returned home. Even though I am working on a piecemeal basis, the signboard works have boos-ted my confidence,” Mr Sreenivasan, a Vattav-ila native, told DC.
Mr Harikumar was also feeling a tad bit disappointed with the monotony of working as a gardener for the last six years.
“My colleagues were aware of my hidden talents. I am overwhelmed by the applause we have been getting from the officials and public alike,” he said.
Zoo superintendent T. V. Anil Kumar who decided to tap their hidden talents is satisfied with the outcome, eco-friendly signage before its ticket counter.
“It's made of a fallen tree and hats off to these young guys. They surely deserve appreciation, and by Onam, we have decided to give them further orders,” he told DC.
