New Delhi, October 18: Ten NGOs from Manipur took part in the recently concluded National Rural Crafts Expo held at Rajiv Gandhi Handicraft Bhavan here from October 2 to 16.The Expo was organized by the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Government of India providing an avenue for marketing of the products of NGOs/SHGs of rural India.

Out of the 10 NGOs, three were from valley districts of Manipur.

Participants from valley districts were A Somi Devi and A Chabi Devi of Rural Service Agency, Imphal East who sold handloom products of tribal shawls and Meitei Phees, G Lata Devi and G Radha Devi from Self Employment Voluntary Association, Imphal West (handloom products and water reed baskets) and S Rameshwar and Thambalsana Devi from Rural Slum Development Association, Thoubal (wooden craft).

Shikho Augustin and Athia Mary from Senapati District Development Council and S Jerome and D Loli from Socio-Economic Environment Development Services represented Senapati district.

They sold organic vegetables, passion fruits and dried flowers apart from handloom and handicraft items.

From Chandel District, four NGOs participated in the Expo.

Chingno Haokip and Lamneihoi Haokip from Young Progressive Planters Association sold tamarind, king chilly (Umorok), Ginger, cashew nut and bamboo shoot pickle.

M Samuel and M Leimuikham from Rural Education and Action for ChangeManipur (Reach-Manipur) exhibited handloom and handicrafts products.

TS Joltha Anal from Chandel Khubol Welfare Arts and Cultural Association promoted traditional medicines for curing jaundice and stone case besides selling handloom products.

SK Anglur from SocioRural Development Organization also promoted traditional medicines for curing stone case and blood pressure case.

Ngulkhothang and Deikhoching from Zogam Multipurpose Development Association, Churachandpur sold traditional handloom products.

Thangkhosei Haokip, President of the Manipur Chapter of Confederation of NGOs of Rural India who led the Manipur team commented that the venue of the exhibition was not a public place.

If it would be held either Pragati Maidan or Dilli Haat, they could earn more income from selling their peculiar products, he added.

However, he expressed that he was when some big organizations like Delhi Exporters Association, Federation of South India Products Association etc and some individuals had approached them to supply dried flowers, ginger, tamarind, cashew nut, king chilly for export.

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