Network business
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 29 2010: Merits and demerits of the new commercial trend popularly known as network business, and its impact on the society were thoroughly discussed during a day-long general discussion session organised by Ethno Heritage Council (Hericoun) at Manipur Press Club today.

While many speakers expressed concern at the lethargic pace of development and the socioeconomic condition of manipur, several others pointed to the fact that amount of annual financial assistance being extended by the Central Government to execute welfare schemes in the State is adequate enough to fuel Manipur's progress in diverse fields.

Dignitaries presiding general discussion on networking bussiness organised by HERICOUN

Expressing firm belief that efficient and proper utilisation of Central Government assistance could ameliorate financial hardships being endured by the general populace to a large extent and consequently reduce the chaotic state, IAS (Retd) P Saratchandra as a presidium member of the session observed that it is too late to shield the people from the impact of networking business for the State is already a part of the global growth in the field of science and technology, through which network business relies upon.

Citing unemployment problem as one of the chief factors for the chaos besieging Manipur and dragging down the State into oblivion, he strongly advocated that development fund needs to be utilised for betterment of the general public for which sincerity and dedicated effort of the State machinery should be the norm rather than exception.

Administrative Officer of department of Education W Chandrakumar, Political Science Lecturer of Kumbi College L Gopal and Hericoun president Renghang Chothe were the other presidium members at the occasion.

Delivering the key note address, Public Grievances secretary of the programme host Yumkhaibam Surjitkumar Khuman said due to absence of any notable industry people of Manipur had been relying on its agriculture for sustenance but the sector too has failed to uplift the socio-economic condition of the State.

In such a situation where unemployment of educated youth is rampant, network business activities invaded the State from about 1999 with government employees from the bureaucrat level to grade-IV taking more interest in expanding the network than to their assigned tasks, the secretary alleged.

Surjit also observed that expecting financial wellbeing even the peasant community have abandoned their agricultural tools to join the mad rush for networking business, which in itself is a testimony of people's preference for white collar jobs compared to toiling in the fields.

In his address, W Chandrakumar expressed that it is upto the individual to decide whether indulgence in network business would bring fortune or distress to the family.

substantiating, the Administrative Officer cautioned that single minded approach to any new venture is an essential quality for success in the chosen field for half-hearted involvement is certain to spell disaster for any commercial aspiration.

He also called upon the people to strive for thorough information on any venture apart from the need to understand financial position individually and collectively as well as the society's capacity to absorb impact of the relatively new business trend.

Elaborating on the network, Kumbi College Lecturer L Gopal said network business involve direct selling, face-to-face selling and personal sale system.

Conveying that liberalisation, privatisation and globalization of the economy in the 20th Century had resulted in the expansion of network business to a large extent, he pointed out that in network business consumers order/buy products from the company concerned at the same price which the company sells.

Inspite of the network business offering value for money the general consumers should ensure that they are not duped as dubious individuals posing as company representatives could take advantage of the situation, Gopal cautioned.