Vocal4Local on mission to promote local enterprises with Friday Market
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, September 11 2021:
Vocal4Local, an initiative of some like-minded youths from different walks of life, is relatively a new name.
However, it is already creating a wave on the commercial scene with 'Friday Market' in Ukhrul district.
Driven by the need to address the reverse migration of local youths in the wake of Covid-19 outbreak, the initiative took shape early this month when its first edition of the weekly 'Friday Market' was launched on September 3 last.
It's an initiative jointly started by Mashungmi Zingkhai (proprietor of Ukhrul's only e-commerce platform Tribalgoo), activist writer Lemyao Shimray (proprietor of Naga Wire - NGO which deals with social issues), skill development master trainer Pemmichon Tungshanao (founder of Zingran food production), local and domestic items dealer Remember Kapai, Ninglei-Raikhan of NEFY and Miss Manipur AR Mathing.
"We are a team of like-minded people concerned about mitigating the adverse impact of reverse migration among our local youths.
We work for economic emancipation without which our younger generation would remain stunted," Lemyao Shimray said of Vbcal4Local, which is the organising committee of the weekly Friday Market.
"We have plenty of natural resources and manpower but we need right platform for marketing.
Vocal4Local aims to promote our young entrepreneurs and local agents and give marketing platform for our local organic items.
This is to strengthen our local economy," she said.
One other important objective of the V4L is to ensure positive cash flow within the local economy.
"This could encourage higher demand in local products so small and marginal domestic industries, vendors who are struggling to survive on a daily basis, especially in times like the current pandemic," said Shimray.
According to Shimray, the abundant availability of resources in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts has potential to reduce dependence from out-of-statCproducts.
"Proper harnessing of the local resources will not only benefit local vendors or entrepreneurs by removing the cost of importing goods but will benefit the public as a whole," she said.
The scenario will provide a better playing field for domestic companies in accessing the market, she said.
On its second edition of Friday Market on September 10, a total of 31 local entrepreneurs participated and opened around 42 stalls at the second floor of Ava Market at Phungreitang in the town.
A stream of visitors and buyers could be seen thronging the market hopping from stall to stall looking for the items of their choice.
The stalls included eateries, those selling toys, domestic appliances, arts, crafts, jewellery, clothes, beverages and other food items.
One attraction about the weekly market is that the stalls offer their goods at a considerable discount and the rates are up to 40 percent lower than the normal market rates on certain goods.
According to the organising committee, the total turnover of the Friday Market on September 10 was Rs 1,99,260.The committee said that the number of stalls registering for the market varies from the last Friday to the previous one, adding that all local business owners are welcomed to bring their wares to the weekly market.
The committee also expressed gratitude to the public for their support and cooperation to the initiative.
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