In canes and bamboo he found his calling
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Bijoy Laishram

Imphal, November 22 2011: If one is not choosy and is hard working, one can easily look after his family and lead a comfortable life from the income generated from manufacturing and selling cane and bamboo products.

38-year old S Thelheishel of M Ningthoupham village under Kangpokpi Block of Senapati district is one such individual who has set an example to many a frustrated unemployed educated youths running after white collar jobs instead of taking up some professions suitable to the soil of the land.

Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao, Thelheishel informed that he has been involved in cane and bamboo works since 1990 .

Before that he too was aspiring for some government jobs just like any other educated youths.

But today, with an enviable monthly income of around Rs 40,000 he could easily earn from selling his cane and bamboo products, Thelseishel has no regrets over not getting government job.

His father, S Angcha was also a skilled craftsman of his time and Thelseishel had seen many of the eye-catching decorative items that his father made from cane and bamboo since childhood.

However, it was much later that Thelheishel gave serious thought of trying his hands on the craft.

When he finally decided, Thelheishel went to Cane and Bamboo Technical Centre (CBTC) at Guwahati for the three-month long training course to equip himself with necessary skills and knowledge.

In January, 2006, Thelheishel set up one self help group (SHG) called S Mophunthel through and started marketing various decorative items made from cane and bamboo.

Today, Thelheishel has 10 people, five women and five men, working under him and they are paid Rs 3000 to Rs 4000 every month.

Thelheishel informed that even though most of his products are normally taken to Delhi and Imphal for sale, many people drop in at his house, which is located close to the National Highway 2 (Imphal-Dimapur Road) for placing orders and making purchases.

With recognition of his craftsmanship, his SHG had even been provided loan by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA).

Thelheishel, during the course of interaction spoke of the need for a large house where he could keep his cane and bamboo products for public sale and display and if the government could extend some financial assistance in this connection, his dream would be realized.

Thelheishel and his SHG is opening a stall in the SARAS Mela which is currently underway at Yaiskul Range Ground.

Inaugurated on November 15, the mela would continue till November 26 .

Thelheishel;s stall is said to have recorded a sale proceed of above 20,000 so far.

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