Indigenous bow maker awarded Rs 2 lakh
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 09 2018: Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAF&PD) Minister Karam Shyam has inaugurated a community hall at Lilong Chajing Awang Leikai and provided a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to a local bowmaker today.

The Minister whose 59th birthday coincides with the inauguration day (today) of the community hall expressed profound happiness and said that the community hall constructed under the Local Area Development Fund (LADF) is largest among the many community halls in the constituency.

He lauded the local youth Mutum Basanta who have made his mark by making and promoting his own indigenous bows and arrows worldwide.

It was an honour to meet and express appreciation to the youth who have made his mark, he said presenting Basanta a sum of Rs 2 lakh as financial assistance towards his venture.

On the construction of the community hall, the Minister said that so far Rs 16 lakh has been utilised in the construction of the 15x65 ft community hall.

Remaining infrastructures and equipments necessary will be completed and delivered very soon, he said.

The LADF has been utilised in 27 polling stations of the Langthabal AC on priority basis over the last 16 months.

There is no hidden political agenda in utilising the LADF.

The funds will also be utilised in the remaining polling station soon, he said and continued that the LADF is people's money.

Langthabal Assembly Constituency have 39 polling stations.

10 houses for needy families have been constructed from the fund in the AC and another 20 will be constructed soon, he said and assured that he will add to the fund from his side for overall development of the AC.

Yearly, 500 children from backward families are enrolled in schools, he said and added that he will continue this service in future too.

The bow maker: Mutum Basanta (33) of Lilong Chajing Awang Leikai started his career as an archer in 2001 and have played at many national level competitions till 2012.From 2013, he started making his own bow and arrows.

According to Basanta, his bows and arrows have a unique traditional flavour and are made of woods and bamboos.

But Basanta showed reluctance in comparing his bows and arrows to those made of "fibres".

"I have sold two (bow and arrows) overseas - one in USA and one in China," proud Basanta said.

The prices of the bows and arrows ranges from Rs 2,800 to Rs 5,000 he said.

Currently Basanta has provided jobs to 12 people including his own younger sister in his business.

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