Home Industries that make us proud
Short, comparative and analytical inspiring stories

Ranjana *

Chakhumgi Wainam - Rice Husk Stove Innovation by Maibam Nandakumar :: Pix - Bunti Phurailatpam

It is a pity that we haven't looked much into the dynamics of home grown industries and, at least, no barometer is available to measure them. In spite of unavailability of measures about the performance of industries, we can clearly observe that some of the private sectors are doing quite impressively in one way or other. They all make us proud. These are the stories that give us joy when govt back-ups have already been sulked and govt policies and framework for inculcating business climate are in question.

Amid govt apathy, recklessness and inability to carve out a roadmap, some entrepreneurs are doing exceedingly well and, inspired by out of the box vision. A new generation of techno-savvy young entrepreneurs also made their footprints very clear.

For the sake of brevity, let us take up a few industries which we should be proud of and examine lightly.

Babina Hospitality: Undoubtedly a landmark business for Manipur. It has been organically evolved from garage type diagnostic lab to full blown hospitality business house. More importantly it gives an impression to the world that Manipur can provide world class hospitality which was hardly existent before. Its gift to the state is that it creates jobs and gives happiness to hundreds of families. It not only creates job but also something that defines class and style. Besides inventing world class hospitality, its modern management system will leave legacy in year to come.

Kok Sam Lai: It's perhaps one of the few industries that solely banks on knowledge power. It performs many peers by manufacturing software that is credible and reproducible. Unlike other software or IT company where main portfolio is website building and some inter related activities, it transforms knowledge into an intensive product we feel proud of.

SIMS Lite, Bill Station. etc. are a few of their products launched so far. Success of the industry, however, cannot be taken for granted. There are miles to go ahead. If it beats, or at par tallies with, at least in functionality, the business acumen of the firm will be well recognised. It surely has potential to grow and fight with national players given the products it has. Unlike commodity, 'knowledge' can be sold at lightning speed and shape state economy to knowledge centric economy.

Wainam Stove: If there is an innovation driven, engineering based industry, Nabakumar's wainam stove is one we should reckon with. Though I am not sure if the industry is success from business point of view, it delights consumers en masse. In fact, it has brought a revolution or, rightly, energy revolution. Impact is so great that it demands research on energy saved from LPG. However, I feel, they may need to construct a successful business model. They also should come out from Leikai mentality to world class or professionally run psycho if they want to expand their market.

Kangla Foods: If there is one food industry that is hugely successful, Kangla is certainly on the top. Kangla has faced many bumps but they stood like a rock. Kangla's success began with manual pack kabok and chanam nambi bujia. But with transition to automatic packaging system, things need to be relooked. Why? It started producing cheeseball, chips etc. and collides with giant players like Pepsico. It seems to forget the link between the consumers' mind and products.

With the increased size of an industry it can't be run at the whims and fancy of promoter / founder. Every new product should go through rigorous scientific protocols to make sure product will hit the market. If we are too complacent, we should pay the price. If the industry succeeds, it should be ready to take on battle on with Haldirams. Kangla has already opened a factory in Assam as part of its expansion plan. We would love to see Kangla reaching every citizen of India in a near future.

Sui Generis: A story of miracle. Miracle out of hard work, determination and creativity. If there is any story that can be sold to the world, Sui Generis is perhaps the only one. Why? The following reasons explain better:

a) It presents a completely new product to our society and, more importantly, a part of our life despite the risk it is associated. It is as trend setting as coca-cola some 150 years back.

b) CC tea or Sui Generis is not known only for innovative product but equally for saving hundreds of acre of land lying idle or underutilised. Vast tract of land at foothills have been transformed into gold.

c) Third and the most important point is the way it is trying to shape economy. At worst, it has a potential to achieve what others (mentioned above) would find hard. Sui Generis can certainly go beyond Manipur. Recent agreement with IBCC is an indication; its CC tea is likely to enter global market which is in no way a simple achievement. If it goes well (hope so!), it would spin state economy in a new direction, a subject our state authority always keeps distance.

These are some of the emerging industries that have the potential to break the stereotype that 'we are loser'. We would love to hear more and more good news. These positive stories will make Manipur a fertile place to live in. They are the real change makers and, with them, change is in the air.