Computerised embroidery machines boost Phanek Mayek Naiba production
Leiteng Embroidery goes hi-tech with computer aid
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 14 2023:
A large number of Phanek Mayek Naiba embroidered with the help of computerised embroidery machines are being sold within the State and beyond, thus helping womenfolk to improve their economic standing.
This was stated by RK Kuranganayeni, owner of Leiteng Embroidery located at Naoremthong Khulem Leikai and wife of Laishram Bishwajit.
She has set up two Chinese computerised embroidery machines, employs four staff and produces more than 200 different border designs of Phanek Mayek Naiba which are sold to Meiteis and Pangals in the State as well as outside.
Speaking to this reporter, RK Kuranganayeni shared that she procured the two machines in 2018 after a long period of embroidering Phaneks by hand and sewing machines and selling them at Khwairamband Keithel.
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One machine was purchased through a loan provided by the State Bank of India, while she purchased the other at a cost of Rs 21 lakh.
In the beginning, engineers from outside the State taught them how to set up the machines and provided them with the necessary training.
She stated that the machines are equipped with a monitor and the embroidery designs (100 to 200 designs) are loaded into a pen drive, from which the user/operator can pick any pattern or design.
Further, the machine also comes with a frame where the Phanek can be placed and then embroidered.
"Earlier the yarn used for embroidery were purchased in bulk from Kolkata for an amount of Rs 1 lakh but now they are available in Imphal", she said.
She also informed that the machines consume around Rs 100 worth of electricity in a day and can embroider anywhere between 12-16 Mayek Naiba Phaneks per day.
Aside from this, the machines are also capable of embroidering beautiful patterns on bedsheets, pillow covers, logos of school uniforms, saris, shawls, kurta borders etc.
Customers are charged Rs 400 for computerised border embroidery of a Phanek Mayek Naiba, while the total cost along with the Phanek is Rs 1200 .
However, this price varies depending on the type of Phanek being sold, she maintained.
Over 30 people have also been trained on how to operate these computerised embroidery machines, she added.
With regard to her earnings, she said that they make around Rs 3.60 lakh per month and after paying her staff, she has enough left over to easily meet household needs as well as educate her children.
In the past Phaneks were embroidered by hand by propping them up in a "Samuk" (three-legged stand), which took around a week or two.
Then came the age of sewing machines, which could complete the same work in a day.
But with the help of computerised embroidery machines 4 such Phaneks can be embroidered in a period of three hours, she maintained.
The Phanek Mayek Naibas so embroidered are sold to the Meiteis and Pangals of Hojai, Lakhimpur, Agartala, Jaribon, Bangladesh and other places where the Meitei diaspora has settled.
Commenting on the high demand for her products, she stated that her only issue is meeting the demands of her customers.