Toral and Manish Gosalia hail from Margao’s well-known families associated with bauxite mining. While Manish has carved a niche for himself in the field of education, promoting entrepreneurship amongst students, jail inmates and even the working class, Toral decided to unite those who are concerned about what we consume, wear and use in our daily lives.
“We attended a bio fest in 2013 in Bangalore and then Manish and I were sensitive about the food we eat. We made a shift in our food and ate only natural products with no preservatives, additives, unnecessary sugars, colors and synthetic content,” says Toral.
She explained how she would find it difficult to find natural products for themselves and that’s when she started researching and reading online and connected with hundreds of farmers through online forums.
“That’s when I had a clear vision that while we consume and wear natural products, why don’t I share these great products with families and individuals and that’s how Earthlings – Live Naturally, the store in Margao was conceptualized,” explains Toral.
That’s when the journey began, researching, reading literature of various self-help groups, understanding logistics and sourcing products, connecting with farmer groups, self-help groups empowering women, interacting with tribal groups producing handicrafts and cosmetic companies which produce chemical free cosmetics.
“I started with farmer groups I met at the Bio fest. In Goa, I tied up with Tara Trust which empowers women and engages them in making paper baskets. I joined hands with a Delhi-based group called Ethaan that markets handicrafts and lamps made by tribal women in Nagaland. I found Bhuira on the web, a Himachal based group that empowers women in picking berries and fruits from the wild and makes natural preserves and jams which are seasonal in nature. Then there is Earthloaf, a Mysore based company that make chocolates from natural coco bought directly from the farmers,” explains Toral.
She began in December 2014, and has now networked with 30 odd farmer groups across India, got 150 products onboard in six various categories.
“It involves a lot of work. It’s not just about sourcing and reselling products on a shelf. For example, I found out which natural vinegar is healthy. Then I zeroed in on apple cider vinegar. Next I had to understand its health benefits, then its availability in India which is 100% natural and has no added preservatives or alcohol. And then how I could ship it to Goa and sell it at a cost-effective price,” explains Toral.
Another challenge for Toral is to break barriers or myths that natural products are for high society and expensive. “I have some products that are sold in Goa only at the Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt and at my store in Margao,” states Toral. “People have constraints on grains or juices and some say their kids or in-laws will not want to consume natural multigrain flour or a sugar-free chocolate. That’s when I introduce them to a small snack bar and let them see the benefits and then wait till they come back,” she added.
Supporting juicy chemistry that makes cosmetics with natural fruits and flowers, to supporting Goa’s Usha Sardessai’s homemade soaps, Earthlings has gone a long way, even having people walk into the store introducing their own range of natural products to Toral. She herself, along with Manish, will sport eucalyptus clothing, khadi clothes, eat oil-free snacks, use paraben free sun-screen, wheat rugs, use floor cleaners which are phenyl free and promote people to live a natural lifestyle while being price conscious.
Toral wants people to move away from commercial supermarket shelves and treat their body with love and care. “We are earthlings who live on planet Earth and consumed what planet Earth produces, why change that? Our future generation needs to know the importance of the farmer,” concludes Toral with a zeal to succeed.
Located at the Correa Pride (next to KFC) and opposite The New Collector Office, Margao, the store Earthlings has modestly-priced products, promotes a healthy lifestyle, preservation of the environment, as well as helps in providing better livelihood to many underprivileged families across India.
Earthly Delights, Natural Garb, Living Essence and Soul Works, the products at Earthlings ranges from all-day ready-to-eat healthy snacks such as organic poha and cookies made of oatmeal, buckwheat, brown rice, quinoa seeds, natural juices made of organically grown fruits such as mango, apple and guava, pulses, cereals, tea, and spices.
“For me, the reason to add many of the products sold at Earthlings to my shopping list is not limited to their contribution towards building a healthier and greener planet, but also the realization that most of these products are either developed by small support groups, NGOs or corporates that support causes such as women and child care and empowerment, reviving dying tribal arts and supporting other underprivileged sects,” she says.
