SMILE shines: From ₹ 50 chive bundle to 3 tonnes a month
Source: Chronicle News Service / Graciya Chanambam / Brenda Naorem

Imphal, July 21 2025: Starting her business venture with just a Rs 50 bundle of dried Chinese chives, Ranita Hanjabam has emerged as a successful entrepreneur, now producing and selling 2 to 3 tonnes of the product monthly along with other dry fruits and vegetables across the country.

Ranita, the proprietor of SMILE, runs her food processing unit from Brahmapur Nahabam Bamon Leikai near the basketball court in Imphal East.

In an exclusive interview with The People's Chronicle, she shared her entrepreneurial journey marked by resilience, innovation and a deep connection to her roots.

A former fashion institute owner, Ranita said her entry into the food industry was inspired during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 .

SMILE shines: From ₹ 50 chive bundle to 3 tonnes a month

While caring for her ailing husband, she came across a YouTube video of a vendor struggling to sell Chinese chives.

Recognising the potential of the locally abundant herb, she decided to foray into drying and packaging the product.

"It was not easy at first.

Chinese chives have 98 percent water content, so drying them properly was a challenge.

But with advice from Ibomcha, an expert in the field, and help from my friend Bebily, who promoted the product on social media, we were soon flooded with orders from students and professionals living outside the state," she recalled.

Her participation in a fair organised by the Horticulture Department outside Manipur further boosted the visibility of SMILE.

There, she learned about the basic of proper packaging and branding, which became a turning point in her journey.

Ranita pointed out the importance of availability of raw materials in setting up a sustainable business.

"Without a reliable supply of raw materials, production cannot continue.

I was lucky to have access to what I needed, locally," she said.

Today, SMILE offers a variety of traditionally processed and packaged items including fermented soybean, hooker chives (Maroi Napakpi), Chinese chives (Maroi Nakuppi), dried roselie (Sougri), dried yendem (indo-Malay taro) and dried Indian pennywort (peruk) .

These products are particularly popular among Manipuri students and professionals living in other states.

Ranita also sells her products both online and offline, including through the Pabung App.

Among SMILE's most in-demand offerings is the Kachai lemon candy, made from dried peels of Kachai lemon, and pineapple candy.

She shared that many dried fruits from Manipur have found eager buyers outside the state.

She believes in letting customers experience her products before buying.

"If I like the taste, I believe others will too," Ranita opined.

She offered free samples of her Chak-hao kheer at Imphal's Ima Keithel to gather feedback and improve her recipe.

The black rice dessert, which can be consumed instantly, became highly sought-after by students and village volunteers during the ongoing crisis in the state.

Currently, Ranita also produces lemon green tea and kheer made from indigenous rice, both of which are witnessing rising demand.

However, due to shortages in raw materials, meeting public demand remains a challenge.

Interestingly, her products have now started gaining traction in England, particularly those made from pineapple, opening up new possibilities for global expansion.

Ranita's story is not just about entrepreneurial success but also about purpose.

She now hopes to establish a training institute and impart training in food processing to orphans, destitute individuals, and those affected by the ongoing crisis in the state, transforming her journey into an opportunity for many others.