Niramani Sahoo from Orissa has pioneered the craft of making coir toys and has trained young people to make items of various shapes and sizes. She has excelled in turning the simple coir into various animals and birds, either as single pieces or as part of a group of various colourful animals hung in a nursery. Ever innovative, she has made huge dinosaurs and dragons. Toy animals made from coir look so lifelike that they can form a part of visual education in Montessori and primary schools.

Having obtained awards for excellence in her work, she hopes to achieve many more in future. She has conducted workshops for teachers and artisans all over India and has participated in various exhibitions.