Conflict survivors sell products worth Rs 1,36,390 at sales event
Source: The Sangai Express / DIO

Thoubal, November 14 2023: A one day sales event of products prepared by the conflict survivors staying at the relief camps of Thoubal District was held today at the Counting Hall, DC Office Complex Thoubal organised by the District Administration Thoubal.

The District Administration has been initiating various income generating programmes for the displaced victims by organising training on candle-making, incense-stick making and kouna craft products among others.

Speaking at the occasion, Thoubal DC Ahanthem Subhash Singh, IAS said that the District Administration initially housed internally displaced persons in 15 relief camps.

Conflict survivors sell products worth Rs 1,36,390 at sales event

Now, the relief camps have been reduced to three namely Kodompokpi Sports Complex, Rice Research Centre, Khangabok-Wangbal and Lamding Higher Secondary School, housing around 1,270 inmates who were displaced from Tengnoupal, Moreh, Churachandpur, Serou, Sugnu and other areas.

Despite the State Government providing all necessary assistance to the displaced persons, the District Administration felt that they should be imparted skill development training, he said.

The DC thanked Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) for their valuable contribution in providing various skill development training.

He also urged the gathering to buy soft toys made by Eramdam Ningol Sanglen (Open Shelter for Girls) run by RVS, Wangbal.

With regard to the kouna (water reed) products made by the inmates, the Manipur State Livelihood Mission (MSRLM) provided invaluable techniques like beautification training, thereby increasing the aesthetic value of all the kouna products.

The training programme was conducted for the inmates in association with an NGO namely ODES to help in generating a regular source of income, he added.

He further said that the District Administration initially provided raw materials to the inmates and helped in marketing the end products and has sold products to the value of around Rs 3,20,000 (three lakhs twenty thousand rupees).

At JNIMS too, during the Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme, candles, kouna products and others were sold.

Further, the medical institute has requested for more products including laptop bags made by kouna for a conference which is scheduled to be held in December.

He also informed the gathering that similar cooperation has been extended by the Handloom and Handicrafts Cooperation.

First batch of kouna products have been procured by the cooperation to be showcased in the emporium.

There is further demand by the cooperation which will be fulfilled in the near future.

He informed the inmates that kouna products have a vast market and that they should keep on producing more products.

The Deputy Commissioner along with the chief guest of the function Yumnam Robita Devi, IAS, Director, Trade, Commerce and Industries visited all the stalls and interacted with the inmates, encouraging them for their bravery and dedication in the adverse situation.

After the stall inspection, the chief guest addressing the gathering said that the enthusiasm amongst the inmates and the gathering is very uplifting.

She said the inmates will be invited to the Khadi Mela from the department side.

She also advised them to register themselves so that they can apply for various benefits provided by the Government.

She said the inmates can approach the District Administration to help in availing various credit link subsidy schemes.

The sales event showcasing kouna products, hand knitted woollen items, candles, soft toys and others were purchased by officers from other districts, DLOs and staff of the Thoubal District and the public.

The sales event ended at 4pm and products worth Rs 1,36,390 (one lakh thirty-six thousand three hundred and ninety) in total were sold today.