Mai-Own given literal push
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, March 16 2021: "Mai-Own, 2021" an exhibition of world-ready products from all corners of Manipur began today at Hapta Kangjeibung, Imphal.

The exhibition which will continue till March 22 is being held as part of the celebration of the present Government successfully completing 4 years of governance.

Addressing the opening function of the 7 day exhibition, Chief Minister N Biren said that the term Mai-Own in Meiteilon is derived from the English expression 'My Own' .

It is also a part of Atmanirbhar with the tagline Local-Vocal-Global, said the Chief Minister adding that the line Mai-Own in Meiteilon means giving direction.

The exhibition is also aimed at helping the artisans find a market for their finished products, said the Chief Minister and assured that the Planning Department has been tasked with the job of finding the talented and enterprising individuals so that the needed assistance may be extended to them.

Mai-Own given literal push

It is to find out how competitive and talented the people are that competitions have been lined up for entrepreneurs and the different departments, said the Chief Minister.

Urging the people to be self reliant, the Chief Minister said that only the absolutely needed things should be brought in from outside while the rest should be produced/created by the people themselves here.

The State Government is ever ready to extend all needed assistance to the entrepreneurs so that they can produce or create quality goods at competitive prices, said N Biren and added that the needed assistance too has been extended.

My-Own exhibition is to promote a sense of competition amongst the enterpreneurs and the different departments so that the finished products are of high quality and can find a market of its own outside the State, the Chief Minister further said.

The Chief Minister also expressed satisfaction with the positive response from the public in opening the different stalls and exhibiting products which are all home grown.

This goes well with the citizen centric governance of the Government which has completed four years in office, added N Biren.

Mai-Own 2021 takes forward the Prime Minister's call for Vocal for Local to Go Global, a step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The exhibition reflects the changing-perspective of doing trade and business in a new direction by the ever-increasing number of enterprising people of Manipur.

It is also about giving power to local entrepreneurs, manufacturers and service providers to reach global standards.

Taking centre stage on Day 1 of the exhibition are products made from bamboo, once known as the poor man's timber which is referred to as green gold of forest due to the increase in global demand.

Speaking to DIPR, N Somorendro Singh, Assistant State Mission Director, National Bamboo Mission (NBM) Manipur Forest Department stated that starting from the smallest item like toothpick to its usage in furniture, construction and architecture, bamboo can be part of "our day to day life and the business." Bamboo products can become a lucrative source of income and has tremendous potential especially in the North Eastern Region (NER) of the country including Manipur.

N Somorendro Singh further said that India is the second largest bamboo producing country in the world.

With the resources available from bamboo, Government of India had restructured National Bamboo Mission (NBM) in various States of the country including Manipur.

Under the mission, selected 4 (four) Handicraft artisans are provided financial assistance to the tune of Rs 9 lakh each.

Speaking to DIPR, an artisan of the National Bamboo Mission Elangbam Ajitkumar of Sagolband Mantri Leikai, said that the smallest bamboo product is the chop stick while the biggest product includes sofa seat, bamboo re-enforced house among others.

Having 15 years of experience as a bamboo artisan he also obtained training in China in 2012 from China National Bamboo Research Centre (CBRC).

He opined that for preserving forest, "we need to promote bamboo as about 30% of wood products have been replaced by bamboo in China" .

A beneficiary of Manipur Government's Start-up scheme first phase, Khwairakpam Nirmal of Yumnam Leikai speaking to DIPR said that he had availed Rs 3 lakh in 2018 under Entrepreneur support and has produced Meitei Dhoop which is a mechanized Agarbati and first of its kind.

His products have been exhibited during the Sangai festival and his sales proceeds are Rs 30,000 (approx.) per day on average.

Proprietor of M/S Krishnapiyari Enterprises, of Kongpal Kongkham Leikai, Krishnapiyari expressed her satisfaction to be working under the mission and stated that she had showcased about 30 varieties of Bamboo product.

Under the National Bamboo Mission, 7 people from the enterprise have taken part in training course under the Government (free of cost) with the honorarium of the teachers borne by the State Government.

The National Bamboo Mission, Manipur have opened altogether 4 stall in the exhibition including one for display of their products and the remaining 3 for sale of Bamboo products.

Chawngneilien of Rural Consultancy and Assistance Centre, Rengkai, Churachandpur expressed happiness on being a participant in the exhibition where he is showcasing about 300 items including ladies bag, purse, necktie, waistcoat among others.

His products have been exported to foreign countries as well and his venture has provided employment opportunity to around 120 people.

At the exhibition, there are 4 stalls from District Handlooms & Textiles, Churachandpur, where Handlooms and Handicrafts products are being sold.

Mention may be made that a total of 250 stalls were opened in the exhibition consisting of 205 as Commercial, 25 as Food stall and 20 Department viz., Forest, Planning, Police, Handloom & Textiles, MAHUD, Horticulture & Soil Conservation, DIPR and others.