Preserving Kulvi Pule Tradition While Excelling in Studies

Sonal Katoch is a bright and hardworking student of Class IX at Government Senior Secondary School, Kothi, in Kullu District. She lives with her family, which includes her father, mother, brother, and sister. Her father, Mahendra Katoch, is a teacher and supports her studies a lot. Her mother, Jamitra Devi, is a caring housewife who looks after the family. Sonal’s extended family includes her Bade Papa, Badi Mummy, Dadi, and Dada. They all live together and work as farmers in their village.

Sonal has many interests apart from studies. She likes art and crafts and loves to draw. Sonal feels deeply connected to her culture and heritage. She proudly shares that her Dadi still makes the traditional Kulvi Pule and chappals - beautiful hand-crafted footwear made using wool and natural fibers called ‘Shel’, which is extracted from the stalks of the hemp plant. First, the hemp stalks are dried, and their outer layers are carefully peeled to get the ‘Shel’ fiber (however, with the hemp farming having been prohibited now, plastic is being used as the outer layer). This fiber is then woven tightly to form the soles of the shoes. The upper parts are made from soft goat wool, which keeps the feet warm in the cold Himalayan weather. These shoes are not only practical but also hold cultural and religious importance, as they are allowed to be worn inside temples where leather footwear is prohibited. Seeing her Dadi’s dedication inspires Sonal to value and preserve her rich local traditions while moving forward toward her dreams.

She likes to shoot vlogs about her daily life where she shares her thoughts and experiences. She enjoys journaling and keeps a diary to write about her feelings and daily events. Dancing is also one of her favourite hobbies, and she takes part in cultural programs to showcase her talent.  

At school, Sonal’s favourite subject is science, especially chemistry, which she finds very interesting and fun. Besides science, she likes English and Mathematics and studies these subjects with great interest. Sonal takes part in many school activities. She often takes part in declamation contests, where she speaks confidently in front of the audience. She also regularly participates in other cultural events and competitions held by her school.

Sonal is not only good at extracurricular activities but also does well in studies. In Standard VIII, she secured first rank in her class because of her hard work and dedication. She hopes to continue performing well in her academics and become successful in the future. She dreams of becoming a pilot, and she is determined to work hard to achieve this goal.