Artisan sets example despite lack of support system
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 27 2020: Apart from the long standing arm conflict and imposition of AFSPA, the State is also besieged with many other critical issues and challenges like retarded development and high unemployment rate.

Although the State has been a part of India for 71 years, it does not have any major industry till today, except for few micro, small and medium enterprises.

According to the 2011 census report, Manipur has 7,49,935 registered unemployed youths out of the total 28.56 lakhs population.

Economists and political experts attribute lack of political will, deep rooted corruption and lack of work culture and encouraging skilled development as the key factors for impeding development and existing high unemployment rate in the State.

Kshetrimayum Amidson, 29-year-old from Singjamei Kshetri Leikai

Indeed, many unemployed youth who obtained/pursued high educational qualification abusing drugs and other psychoactive substances are common occurrences in the State.

According to a report published by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) in the past, there are 34 IDUs for every 1000 people in Manipur.

In addition to this, the State has also been listed amongst the top ten alcohol dependent States in the country.

However, beating all odds and breaking barriers in the society, Kshetrimayum Amidson, a 29-year-old from Singjamei Kshetri Leikai is setting an example to the desolate society by leading a life of self-employment.

Without any kind of support from the Government or any other agencies, Amidson is easily earning his livelihood by making decoration items made from cane and bamboo products.

He said that he could easily earn a monthly income of Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000 besides giving employment to few other locals.

"I learned the skill of making cane and bamboo products from my late father Kshetrimayum Chaoba while assisting in his work during my school and college days" he said.

Unlike many other artisans who struggle to market their products, Amidson who completed graduation in 2013 does not worry much about marketing and exposure.

"There is enough exposure and markets for handicraft products in and outside the State.

Apart from selling my products here, I have sufficient links for exporting the same products to other States," he said.

"However, there is a need for huge capital investment to meet the demands of exporting handicraft products," he added.

He expressed skepticism over handicraft related Government schemes and loans saying that he failed to get even a single rupee although his name had been listed twice among the names of loanees under Government schemes in the past.

The young man said people who do not have connections with influential people find it difficult to avail loans.

Amidson said the Government should make sure that the loan/schemes provided for handicraft activities are used for the purpose only.

"Utilization of loans meant for handicrafts in other businesses by many fraudulent loanees have not only tarnished the image of the artisans but also left many real artisans high and dry," Amidson decried.

He also drew the attention of the Government to provide adequate subsidies while giving loans to loanees.

Asserting that many poor artisans like him are discouraged from pursuing Government loans and schemes, Amidson claimed that his late artisan father also failed to get Government support during his lifetime.

While saying that he continues to work as an artisan of cane and bamboo with an intention to preserve and promote the art of handicraft handed down by his father, Amidson said he has also been imparting his skills to locals and other interested persons by conducting training from time to time.

Meanwhile, DM College of Arts Assistant Professor Dr Arambam Noni while citing the 2018 National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) survey stated that the total work force in Manipur is only 32% of the whole population, including those working in unorganized sector.

While pointing out that 80% of the total work force in the State do not have jobs with social security, Noni said the scenario in the State reflects a perilous situation of the employment system in the State.

Informing that Manipur had around 15,000 MSMEs in 2017-18, he said that the inaccessibility to institutional support by MSMEs is also a serious factor for slowing down the process of promoting skilled development.

Stressing on the importance of promoting skilled development among the Manipuri natives to bring development, the Assistant Professor said that the incessant inflow of skilled labors for years has been seriously affecting the promotion of skilled labors in the State.

Stating that the past and prevailing political system in the State have been encouraging more on funding systems rather than creating infrastructure, Noni cited the 90:10 grant in aid system under the Ministry of DONER/NEC in Manipur and North East States as a crystal clear example to prove his point.

He said that the inability to sustain regional political aspiration or regional developmental agenda into the electoral policy or campaign in Manipur is a huge disadvantage for the State.

"This resulted in the obsession of a parasitic economy design (dependent economy design) in the subconscious minds of the Manipuris, especially among many politicians", he added.